The fate of tariffs on alcoholic beverages will be largely in the hands of Katherine Tai if, as expected, President-elect Joe Biden nominates her as U.S. Trade Representative.
She’s the chief trade counsel for Democrats on the House Ways & Means Committee, with expertise on China and proven diplomatic skills. She began her government career as a lawyer for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 2007-2014 before moving to the Congressional staff.
“She is uniquely prepared to tackle issues on China and knows how to partner with our allies to advance U.S. interests,” says Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
Addressing the Center on American Progress, a Democratic-leaning think tank in August, she said good trade policy had to have both defensive and offensive elements. President Trump’s approach, she said, was largely defensive, making sure China played by the rules.
But trade policy also must focus on “what we are going to do to make ourselves and our workers and our industries faster, nimbler, able to jump higher, compete stronger and ultimately defend this open democratic way of life we have,” she said.