OREGON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today visited Astoria and Portland, Oregon to participate in tours and roundtables with members of the state’s congressional delegation: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.
In the morning, Ambassador Tai visited the Port of Astoria and toured a groundfish vessel. She also joined a roundtable with Chairman Wyden, Senator Merkley, Mayor of Astoria Bruce Jones, local producers, and representatives of Oregon’s fishing industry.
During the roundtable, Ambassador Tai noted the importance of the fishing sector to Oregon’s economy. Ambassador Tai shared how the Biden-Harris Administration is helping U.S. fishers compete on a level playing field with competitors around the world. She also detailed the importance of addressing unsustainable fishing practices, including illegal fishing, fisheries subsidies, and other actions that create unfair competition and harm U.S. fishers that engage in sustainable, legal fishing.
In the afternoon, Ambassador Tai, Chairman Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Congresswoman Bonamici visited an Intel semiconductor manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. They joined a roundtable with representatives from Intel and semiconductor industry leaders.
Ambassador Tai shared how events like the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created significant disruptions to global supply chains and trade. She also detailed how USTR and the entire Biden-Harris Administration are working to build resilient supply chains through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and bilateral engagement with trade partners. Ambassador Tai noted the importance in investing in semiconductor development and production, and urged Congress to pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act.
Following the roundtable, Ambassador Tai, Chairman Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Congresswoman Bonamici toured the Intel facility.
Ambassador Tai will return to Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 14.
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