On January 27, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai hosted the initial ministerial for the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), a regional framework for cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and strengthen competitiveness. The APEP consists of the United States, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the
Panel Concludes Automakers May Continue Core Parts “Roll-up” to Meet USMCA’s RVC Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Requirements
A United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Chapter 31 Dispute Resolution Panel concluded that automakers may continue to use the longstanding practice of “roll-up” when calculating the percentage of North American-originating materials used in the production of core automotive parts (e.g., engines) that is subsequently factored into the computation for determining the total amount of originating content
U.S. and AfCFTA Members Sign MOU on Trade Cooperation
On December 14, 2022, the United States and African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Trade and Investment between the United States and the African Continental Free Trade Area (MOU). The MOU was signed by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai and AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene during
U.S. and IPEF Partners Adopt Ministerial Statement and Negotiation Objectives
On September 9, 2022, the United States and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) partner countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – announced they had reached consensus on ministerial statements for each of the four IPEF framework pillars: Trade, Supply Chain, Clean
U.S. and Taiwan Open Formal Negotiations on Trade Initiative
On August 17, 2022, the Office the U.S. Trade Representative announced that formal negotiations have commenced with Taiwan on the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. This trade initiative was first announced in June 2022 as an effort to “deepen the economic and trade relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and
United States Announces Formation of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
On May 23, 2022, the United States and several allies in the Asia-Pacific-India region announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to pursue regional economic engagement. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated, “This framework will enable the United States to expand its economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific and work with our
USTR Releases President Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda and 2021 Annual Report
On March 1, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released President Joe Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda and 2021 Annual Report. The trade agenda highlights President Biden’s continued focus on a “worker-centered trade policy” by “promoting a broader agenda of fair competition to ensure that workers are competing on the basis of
USMCA Free Trade Commission Holds Inaugural Meeting as USMCA in Full Force
Key Notes:
- USMCA trade ministers meet, demonstrating that USMCA is in full force
- USMCA compliance required as of now
- Auto rules of origin and labor were key issues in discussions
On May 18, 2021, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Free Trade Commission (FTC) held its inaugural meeting, which was led by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine
USTR Tai Testifies on President Biden’s Trade Agenda
On May 12, 2021, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on President Joseph Biden’s trade agenda. Ambassador Tai’s written testimony noted that the Biden administration wants “a fair international trading system that promotes inclusive growth and reflects America’s universal values.” She noted that support from Congress would add “more
USTR Releases 2021 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released its annual National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers that addresses the status of foreign trade and investment barriers to U.S. exports worldwide. This is the U.S. government’s major annual report on the barriers to U.S. exports of goods and services, investment and electronic