WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today co-moderated a virtual panel with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh on “Promoting a Worker-Centric Trade Policy in the Indo-Pacific” at the fourth annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum.
During the panel, Ambassador Tai highlighted USTR and the Biden-Harris Administration’s trade and labor priorities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Ambassador also shared how the United States is developing durable and inclusive trade policies that expand economic opportunity and facilitate a race to the top that benefits the citizens and communities around the world.
Ambassador Tai emphasized the importance of protecting workers’ rights and the need to eradicate forced labor in global supply chains. She also noted her desire to continue working with government leaders, the private sector, and organized labor to identify solutions on these issues, including taking concrete action on the G7 Forced Labor Statement.
Secretary Walsh reiterated the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to prioritizing workers in economic recovery efforts, and the role of strong labor protections in supporting sustainable economic growth. He also highlighted several Department of Labor initiatives that are successfully promoting workers’ rights in the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition to Ambassador Tai and Secretary Walsh, the panel included Indonesian Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi, the Consumer Goods Forum Managing Director Wai-Chan Chan, and ITUC-Asia Pacific General Secretary Shoya Yoshida.
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