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USTR Tai criticized during House Ways and Means Committee hearing on trade

The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee expressed disappointment in the performance of the U.S. Trade Representative during a hearing Tuesday morning.

Missouri Republican Jason Smith said the last time Ambassador Katherine Tai came before the committee, he was very optimistic about the work that could be accomplished to deliver results for American farmers, workers, and manufacturers.

“Unfortunately, today I’m less optimistic as the administration has continued to pursue a trade agenda that ignores Congress to the detriment of the American worker and American leadership on trade.”

Ambassador Tai defended the Biden administration’s trade approach, calling it open-minded and innovative.

“By questioning and testing old assumptions, revisiting norms, and thinking creatively and strategically all at the same time.”

She says through the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, her office is actively championing the interests of American farmers by disputing Mexico’s GMO corn ban and Canada’s dairy tariff rate quota allocation measures.