WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai released the following statement after the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) announced its report cataloging information on the distributional effects of trade and trade policy on underrepresented and underserved communities.
“In order to formulate and implement trade policies that will be effective in providing benefits to our economy, workers, and communities, particularly those who have been historically underserved, we must be able to assess the impact of our existing trade policies on those communities and workers. That is why I asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to launch this investigation and seek broad public input from academia, researchers, local policy makers, and real community voices from across the country, in order to produce a public, independent compilation of the impact of past trade policies on U.S. workers.
“I would like to thank the USITC and all those that contributed to the publication of this historic report, including those who participated in the public events and symposiums. Through the development and publication of new research, data, and analytical tools, we can ensure that U.S. trade policy can be equitable, inclusive, and help boost the competitiveness of our economy in the 21st century. I am eager to review the specific findings and conclusions of this report and use the report to inform the development of policies that contribute to our economic competitiveness, resiliency, and well-being of all workers.”
The USITC report can be found here.
In October 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative asked the USITC to launch an investigation of the distributional effects of goods and services trade and trade policy on workers and underserved communities. New research, data, and analytical tools will better inform U.S. trade policy and enable USTR to better develop an equitable, durable, worker-centered trade policy that contributes to our nation’s competitiveness in a 21st century global economy. Ambassador Tai’s request letter to U.S. International Trade Commission can be found here.
The Biden-Harris Administration has outlined its commitment to explore how trade policy can support an equitable economic recovery and opportunity for underserved communities from day one. This includes the inclusion of racial equity, gender, and an emphasis on underserved communities in the President’s Trade Agenda and Annual Report and USTR’s Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan for the first time in history.
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