USTR

A limited deal between the U.S. and Brazil on trade facilitation, regulatory practices and transparency is feasible and in both countries’ interests, according to Kellie Meiman Hock, a former director for Brazil and the Southern Cone in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

“I don’t think the USTR has a very good sense of what has to happen for a good agreement to come about in Kenya.”

An earlier version passed by the Senate called for a free trade agreement.

A group of Senate Finance Committee Republicans on Wednesday outlined a handful of ways the administration might use trade policy to combat the economic harm caused by the coronavirus pandemic, calling for multilateral cooperation and a “total moratorium” on new tariffs.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Agriculture Department this week again extolled Beijing’s ending of non-tariff barriers to agricultural goods under the terms of a phase-one trade deal with the U.S.

“In response to the national emergency for COVID-19, agencies are directed to use the breadth of available technology capabilities to fulfill service gaps and deliver mission outcomes.”

President Trump on Friday announced his intent to nominate Michael Nemelka, a special adviser to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, to serve as deputy USTR.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, like all other federal agencies, is adapting to life during a global pandemic that has radically overhauled how many work. But how, exactly, the new reality is affecting its operations is not known -- and USTR isn’t saying. 

“Why would the U.S. increase the cost and difficulty of supplying protective gear to doctors and nurses? Why would Washington obstruct the acquisition of lifesaving equipment?”