WASHINGTON – This week, in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai joined House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn on his podcast Clyburn Chronicles to share her perspective as an Asian American leader in President Biden’s Cabinet. She also discussed how the Biden-Harris Administration is writing a more inclusive story on trade that lifts up historically overlooked communities.
During the conversation, Ambassador Tai emphasized the significance of diverse representation in government: “When our fellow Americans look at the leadership in our government, they can also see themselves and see the people they grew up with and they went to school with.”
Congressman Clyburn asked Ambassador Tai to share words of wisdom in light of increased violence against the AA and NHPI communities. Noting the impact of reckless rhetoric during COVID on these communities, Ambassador Tai stressed that, “Words really matter, and how we talk about the kinds of challenges that we have – geopolitically, economically, as a policy matter – it is really important for us to use our words responsibly.”
She also noted that, “It is really important for the AA and NHPI communities and your listeners out there to know…that they belong in America as fellow Americans.”
Listen to the full episode here.
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