WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today met virtually with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to discuss increasing vaccine production, and the proposed waiver to certain provisions of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ambassador Tai conveyed her deep sympathy for the people of India as they battle a wave of COVID-19 cases and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to help India during its time of need. She explained her support for the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and text-based negotiations at the WTO, which are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive effort to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution around the world. Ambassador Tai recognized the WTO Members who have expressed support for future negotiations and welcomed an update from Minister Goyal about India’s efforts to revise and resubmit their waiver proposal. Ambassador Tai and Minister Goyal agreed to stay in regular communication in the days ahead.
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