Research
Special Projects
Biden Administration International Affairs Personnel Tracker
Katherine Tai
US Trade Representative
On This Page
Katherine Tai has been the U.S. Trade Representative since March 17, 2021. Before that, Tai served as the chief trade counsel for the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. From 2007 to 2014, Tai served in the Trade Representative’s Office of General Counsel, becoming chief counsel for China trade enforcement from 2011 until her departure. During her time at the office, Tai handled enforcement of cases filed against China with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Tai is currently the Democratic chief trade counsel to the House Committee on Ways and Means. She served as the staff lead on the Trans-Pacific Partnership while working for Democrats on committee. Tai is a fluent Mandarin speaker and taught English for two years at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou in the late 1990s.
Views On China
During the confirmation, Tai called China “simultaneously a rival, a trade partner, and an outsized player whose cooperation we’ll also need to address certain global challenges.” Tai is believed to be entirely comfortable in aggressively confronting China when needed. According to former Trump trade negotiator Clete Willems, Tai “is not a pushover and is going to have the ability to stand up for U.S. interests against countries like China” and will “help carry on a tough line on China.”
According to an Intellisia report, comments by Tai and others suggest that the Biden administration will pressure China to abide by international trade rules. This report has circulated in Chinese President Xi’s inner circle.
Tai has said that China should be addressed forcefully and strategically. She has also publicly acknowledged that the Trump administration “has not been 100% wrong on trade policies.” She also noted that the Trump administration’s trade policy against China is more defensive — a reaction to Beijing’s longtime practices such as forced technology transfer and state subsidies. “I think the offense has got to be about [making] ourselves and our workers and our industries and our allies faster, nimbler, be able to jump higher, be able to compete stronger, and ultimately be able to defend this open democratic way of life that we have.”
Most Recent Actions
- On October 4, following a month-long review of U.S. trade policy towards China, Ambassador Tai unveiled the “initial steps” that the administration plans to take, including a top-level meeting with China to discuss the enforcement of the Phase One trade deal and broader U.S. concerns as well as plans to reinstate the exclusion process of some tariffs against Chinese imports. [Full Transcript] [Official Fact Sheet]
- Ambassador Tai applauded the passage of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on December 16, 2021.
- According to a November 18 report, Ambassador Tai said the U.S. needs to correct its course on Asia-Pacific policy since it withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and strengthen economic ties with allies in the region.
- When delivering remarks to U.S. steel industry executives on November 3, Ambassador Tai called for new measures to counter China’s circumvention of existing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.
- On October 28, Ambassador Tai said that her engagement with China aimed to “bring the temperature down” to have a “sober” relationship and “sober” conversation on the U.S.-China trade relationship.
- On January 5, 2022, Ambassador Tai had a call with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and “expressed the United States’ continuing strong support for Lithuania in the face of economic coercion” from China. On January 7, 2022, Ambassador Tai reiterated the U.S. support “for the EU and for Lithuania” during a call with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis.
- On November 30, Ambassador Tai and trade ministers from Japan and the EU jointly agreed to renew a trilateral partnership that would identify gaps and develop new policy tools to “address the global challenges posed by non-market policies and practices of third countries.”
- On November 19, Ambassador Tai met with Korean Minister for Trade Yeo Han-Koo, where Ambassador Tai committed to “rapidly resolving trade concerns” under the framework the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). Ambassador Tai also highlighted the Biden administration’s plan for an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
- On October 31, the U.S. and EU ended a dispute over steel and aluminum tariffs, agreeing to remove mutual trade barriers and to cooperate on drafting global standards against ‘dirty’ steel in China and elsewhere. [USTR official press release] [USTR Fact Sheet] [Statement by Ambassador Tai]
- On October 22, G7 trade ministers agreed on a set of digital trade principles “in support for open digital markets,” including on issues such as cross-border data flow, relevant labor standards and digital trading systems. The members agreed to uphold “common rules for digital trade” at the World Trade Organization. [Official joint statement]
- On October 8, Ambassador Tai held a virtual meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He “to discuss the U.S.-China trade relationship” and review implementation of the Phase One Trade Deal. [USTR Readout] [Xinhua Readout]
- On September 29, the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which Ambassador Tai co-chaired, had its first meeting. The U.S. and EU agreed to jointly work on a number of trade and investment issues regarding emerging technologies. [USTR page on TTC] [U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Inaugural Joint Statement]
Archive
In Her Own Words
- Ambassador Tai applauded the passage of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on December 16, 2021.
In Her Own Words
- On November 30, Ambassador Tai and trade ministers from Japan and the EU jointly agreed to renew a trilateral partnership that would identify gaps and develop new policy tools to “address the global challenges posed by non-market policies and practices of third countries.”
- On November 19, Ambassador Tai met with Korean Minister for Trade Yeo Han-Koo, where Ambassador Tai committed to “rapidly resolving trade concerns” under the framework the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). Ambassador Tai also highlighted the Biden administration’s plan for an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
- According to a November 18 report, Ambassador Tai said the U.S. needs to correct its course on Asia-Pacific policy since it withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and strengthen economic ties with allies in the region.
- When delivering remarks to U.S. steel industry executives on November 3, Ambassador Tai called for new measures to counter China’s circumvention of existing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties.
In Her Own Words
- On October 31, the U.S. and EU ended a dispute over steel and aluminum tariffs, agreeing to remove mutual trade barriers and to cooperate on drafting global standards against ‘dirty’ steel in China and elsewhere. [USTR official press release] [USTR Fact Sheet] [Statement by Ambassador Tai]
- On October 28, Ambassador Tai said that her engagement with China aimed to “bring the temperature down” to have a “sober” relationship and “sober” conversation on the U.S.-China trade relationship.
- On October 22, G7 trade ministers agreed on a set of digital trade principles “in support for open digital markets,” including on issues such as cross-border data flow, relevant labor standards and digital trading systems. The members agreed to uphold “common rules for digital trade” at the World Trade Organization. [Official joint statement]
- On October 8, Ambassador Tai held a virtual meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He “to discuss the U.S.-China trade relationship” and review implementation of the Phase One Trade Deal. [USTR Readout] [Xinhua Readout]
- On October 4, following a month-long review of U.S. trade policy towards China, Ambassador Tai unveiled the “initial steps” that the administration plans to take, including a top-level meeting with China to discuss the enforcement of the Phase One trade deal and broader U.S. concerns as well as plans to reinstate the exclusion process of some tariffs against Chinese imports. [Full Transcript] [Official Fact Sheet]
In Her Own Words
- On September 29, the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which Ambassador Tai co-chaired, had its first meeting. The U.S. and EU agreed to jointly work on a number of trade and investment issues regarding emerging technologies. [USTR page on TTC] [U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Inaugural Joint Statement]
In Her Own Words
- On August 24, in a meeting with American business associations, Ambassador Tai indicated that the administration is carrying out a “comprehensive review of U.S.-China trade policy” which is unlikely to be completed in the near future.
In Her Own Words
- On July 22, 2021, Ambassador Tai met with European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade Chair Bernd Lange and Vice-Chair Kumpula-Natri. They discussed WTO’s upcoming Ministerial Conference, overcapacity in the steel and aluminum sector as well as “how the United States and the EU can work together to address the challenges posed by China and other non-market actors.”
- On July 21, 2021, Ambassador Tai met with Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan. They agreed to continue working on developing a joint digital trade policy. Ambassador Tai also conveyed that the United States stands with Australia to tackle shared challenges posed by China.
- On July 20, 2021, the Office of USTR announced the United States’ intention to join the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation as a way to improve the transparency and fairness of processes for obtaining licenses to provide professional and other services.
- On July 13, 2021, the Office of USTR joined the U.S. Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, and Labor to issue an updated Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory.
- On July 13, 2021, Ambassador Tai met with Indonesia Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi, where the two agreed to revitalize engagement through the U.S.-Indonesia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
- On July 13, 2021, Ambassador Tai met with United Kingdom Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss, and the two agreed to work together to promote fair competition, enhance the international trade system, and address forced labor issues.
In Her Own Words
- On June 29, 2021, the United States and Taiwan held the eleventh Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting and agreed to resume high-level trade engagement and form a new Labor Working Group under the TIFA.
- On June 15, 2021, Ambassador Tai met with members of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, where she highlighted “how transatlantic cooperation could help promote a worker-centered trade policy and cooperate to face global challenges” and discussed issues such as labor standards, the recently announced U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council and WTO reform.
- On June 14, 2021, Ambassador Tai met with European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton and discussed “a wide range of issues including their shared commitment to strengthening the transatlantic trade relationship.”
- On June 10, 2021, Ambassador Tai’s had a virtual meeting with Taiwan Minister-Without-Portfolio John Deng, where Ambassador Tai “expressed the United States’ continued interest in working together with Taiwan on issues of common concern in multilateral organization.”
- On June 8, 2021, Ambassador Tai had a virtual meeting with executives from the U.S.-APEC Business Coalition as a follow up from the broader APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting on June 5.
In Her Own Words
- Ambassador Tai joined other G7 Trade Ministers in a Joint Communique on May 28, 2021, where they committed to “free and fair trade as foundational principles and objectives of the rules-based multilateral trading system.”
- On May 26, 2021, Ambassador Tai held what USTR termed as “an introductory virtual meeting” with China’s Vice Premier Liu He. According to USTR, the two had a “candid exchange,” where Ambassador Tai discussed “the guiding principles” of the Biden-Harris Administration’s trade policy and raised “issues of concern.” According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the two sides were engaged in “candid, pragmatic and constructive communication” and agreed to keep in contact. Before the call, Ambassador Tai told Reuters that the United States still faces “very large challenges” in its trade and economic relationship with China.
- During a May 13, 2021 hearing in front of the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, Ambassador Tai said that existing trade law tools are more aimed at protecting U.S. industries and companies after injuries from unfair competition have already occurred and that new legal tools are needed to head off anti-competitive threats from China against key American high-technology industries.
- During a May 12, 2021 hearing before a Senate Finance Committee titled “The President’s 2021 Trade Policy Agenda,” Ambassador Tai said the USTR is working towards “a strong, strategic approach” to trade and economic relationships with China and that she was “encouraged that our trading partners” also recognize the challenge of ensuring fair competition with China and “are willing to find a common approach to our shared concerns.”
- In a May 5 statement, Ambassador Tai said that the United States supports the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and will “actively participate in text-based negotiations” at WTO to make the waiver happen. She also said that the administration will work on expanding vaccine manufacturing and distribution.
In Her Own Words
- Ambassador Tai released the 2021 National Trade Estimate Report on March 31, 2021. According to the official USTR press release, the NTE report said China is “the world’s leading offender in creating non-economic capacity” and highlighted:
China also is well on its way to creating severe excess capacity in other industries through its pursuit of industrial plans such as Made in China 2025, pursuant to which the Chinese government is doling out hundreds of billions of dollars to support Chinese companies and requiring them to achieve preset targets for domestic market share–at the expense of imports–and global market share in several advanced manufacturing industries. USTR will continue its bilateral and multilateral efforts to address these harmful trade practices.
- The NTE report also referred to “Chinese Information Technology cybersecurity and encryption standards” and “restrictive data policies” and “existing or proposed local content requirements for online streaming services” in China, among a number of practices in several other nations, as significant barriers to future U.S. growth opportunities and the fairness of the global economy.
- In her first interview since Senate confirmation, Ambassador Tai said that the U.S. isn’t ready to lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the near future, but might be open to trade negotiations with Beijing. She warned that “yanking off tariffs” could harm the economy unless the change is “communicated in a way so that the actors in the economy can make adjustments” and further admitted tactical reasons for the position. “No negotiator walks away from leverage, right?” she said.
- In her Day One Message to USTR Staff, Ambassador Tai highlighted a few issues on the agenda, including “rebuilding our alliances” and “addressing the challenges posed by China.”
At the G7 Trade Ministers Meeting on March 31, 2021, Ambassador Tai discussed with other G7 Ministers “the challenges facing the global trading system from non-market forces and the need to work collectively to advance free and fair trade.” During Ambassador Tai’s virtual meeting with European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager on March 29, 2021, the two “committed to strengthening U.S.-EU cooperation on shared objective related to large non-market economies, such as China.” Similar commitments were made during Ambassador Tai’s March 25 virtual meeting with Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, her March 24 meeting with German Federal Minister for Economics and Energy Peter Altmaier (although the German-US commitment only covers “unfair trading practices of large non-market economies”) and her March 23 virtual meeting with French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Recovery, Bruno Le Maire.
- During a March 23 virtual meeting, Ambassador Tai and Japan Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu “shared concerns about unfair trading practices from non-market economies, such as China, and human rights.”
- During a March 26 virtual meeting, Ambassador Tai and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing “discussed the importance of U.S. regional leadership in the Asia-Pacific and globally on trade, economic and strategic issues.”
In Her Own Words
- Full Confirmation Hearing
- When making the opening statement at the Senate confirmation, Tai noted:
China is simultaneously a rival, a trade partner, and an outsized player whose cooperation we’ll also need to address certain global challenges. We must remember how to walk, chew gum and play chess at the same time.
- Tai also said during the confirmation that she will work with Congress to ensure that the tariffs imposed during the Trump administration are “appropriately responsive to China’s practices; account for their impact on U.S. businesses, workers and consumers; and support the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic” and noted that China “needs to deliver” on the promises it made in the Phase One agreement.
Media
- Nikkei Asia, “China Sees More Common Ground with Biden-led US,” January 23, 2021
Media
- Stephen Olsen, Hinrich Foundation, “Biden taps Katherine Tai as USTR,” December 10, 2020
- CNBC, “Biden picks longtime China critic Katherine Tai as top U.S. trade official,” December 10, 2020
- CNBC, “Biden’s pick for top U.S. trade official will continue tough line on China, says ex-Trump official,” December 18, 2020
- Center for American Progress, “STATEMENT: Katherine Tai Will Build New Consensus as U.S. Trade Representative,” December 10, 2021
In Her Own Words
- Questions for the Record, Hearing to Consider the Nomination of Katherine C. Tai, Senate Finance Committee, February 25, 2021 [Hearing Recording here]
- “Biden Trade Pick Says China Must Deliver on Phase-One Pact,” Bloomberg, February 26, 2021
- Nikkei Asia, “Biden taps Mandarin-speaking Katherine Tai to helm China trade,” December 11, 2020
- ASIL, “Engaging the Global Economy: International Law, Trade & Investment,” event recording, August 28, 2020
- Center for American Progress, “Progressive Visions for Trade,” event recording, August 5, 2020
Page Last Updated: January 14, 2022
*None of the personnel in this tracker are associated with the Institute for China-America Studies. All images used on this page are sourced from the official Biden-Harris transition website buildbackbetter.gov or the public domain.*
