Davos Platz, Switzerland – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Deputy United States Trade Representative Maria Pagán met yesterday with Australia’s Assistant Minister for Trade, Tim Ayres, on the margins of the World Economic Forum. Ambassador Tai began by thanking Australia for hosting the first Indo-Pacific Economic Framework negotiating round last month and noted the enthusiasm for creating a high-standard agreement that can create sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the region.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Ayres discussed the shared challenges posed by the policies and practices from non-market economies, including economic coercion. They also discussed efforts to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO). Ambassador Tai and Ambassador Pagán provided an overview of the constructive reform conversations led by the United States with a diverse group of WTO Members in the last year. Ambassador Tai also emphasized her commitment to working with all Members on a positive reform agenda, including on dispute settlement, that makes the WTO more responsive to the challenges our citizens face and the opportunities they seek in today’s economy.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Ayres agreed to remain in frequent dialogue on these and other issues.
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