WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative today announced that Christopher Wilson will serve as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan, Korea, and APEC Affairs. Wilson has served in essential roles at USTR, including most recently as the Assistant United States Trade Representative (AUSTR) for South and Central Asia. This position was open to existing AUSTR-level USTR employees.
USTR also announced that, with Wilson’s appointment, Brendan Lynch will serve as the Acting Assistant United States Trade Representative for South and Central Asia.
This appointment will take effect on March 13, 2023.
“Chris will help us pursue a worker-centered trade agenda that benefits people at home and among our Asian trading partners,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “He will play an integral role as we continue to strengthen our partnerships throughout Asia, and will help our office lead our APEC host activities later this year. I congratulate Chris as he takes on this new position and look forward to having him represent USTR and the Biden Administration in our trade engagement throughout the region.”
The Office of Japan, Korea, and APEC Affairs is responsible for addressing U.S.-Japan bilateral trade issues, monitoring Japan’s compliance with bilateral and international trade treaties, and coordinating with Japanese counterparts on global trade issues of mutual interest. The Office also monitors Korea’s implementation of its commitments under the U.S.-Korea (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement, as well as ensuring Korea’s compliance with various bilateral trade agreements and developing U.S. trade priorities under the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum and its 21 member economies.
Christopher Wilson, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC Affairs
Chris Wilson will serve as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Japan, Korea, and APEC Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing trade policy toward Japan and Korea and within the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC). Mr. Wilson’s responsibilities also include leading trade negotiations with Japanese and Korean counterparts, developing equitable trade initiatives consistent with our existing agreements, and advancing trade and investment policy through APEC.
Mr. Wilson initially joined USTR in 2000 to work on Central America trade issues, followed by four years representing USTR at the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels. Following his return to Washington in 2006, he served as the Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, and Assistant United States Trade Representative for World Trade Organization and Multilateral Affairs. From 2014-2018, he represented USTR in Geneva, Switzerland as the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization.
In March 2019, he received his appointment as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, where he oversaw the development and effective implementation of trade policy across 15 countries.
Prior to his time at USTR, he served as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State and completed assignments in Africa and Southeast Asia. He is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
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