US Trade Rep Tai: "We Need A New Playbook On China"

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, has outlined "defend[ing] [US] values and economic interests" as the key trade objective for 2023.

• Tai: "An important part of realizing our vision for human-centric trade is realigning our trade policies toward China... The loss of jobs, income, and manufacturing capabilities that accompanied a surge in low-priced imports from China has been real and devastating. For too long, the PRC’s unfair policies and practices undercut American prosperity...."
• Tai continued: "To vigorously defend our values and economic interests, we need a new playbook on China that serves our interests, and we will continue to press the PRC on its state-centered and non-market trade practices."
• Tai also nodded towards concerns over the US legislation the Inflation Reduction Act which is threatening to drive a wedge between Washington and key allies: "...some with longstanding relationships with the United States have also expressed concerns about the potential impacts on their producers and industries."
• She said, "We have been engaged in a deepening dialogue with these partners and look forward to continuing it."