"Biden Appoints Chinese-American Katherine Tai as Head of US Trade Policy (Comprehensive)"

Bloomberg and US Media Reports
Trade Expert Fluent in Chinese Recognized for Negotiation Skills During USMCA
Former USTR Official Handling China-Related Affairs... Expected to Maintain Aggressive Trade Policy Stance

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] It has been reported that President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Catherine Tai, a Chinese-American senior counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats, as the next United States Trade Representative (USTR). Tai, who is fluent in Chinese and has previously dealt with trade disputes with China, was abruptly appointed as the cabinet-level USTR representative, which is seen as a strategic move for negotiations with China, a key focus of the next administration's trade policy.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 9th (local time), Bloomberg News and others cited sources reporting that Tai will oversee the new administration's U.S. trade policy. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) interpreted Tai's appointment as an intention to quickly address pressing trade issues in close coordination with allies in preparation for economic competition with China.

If Tai becomes head of the USTR, she will likely decide when and how to reduce the $370 billion (401 trillion won) in high tariffs imposed on China by President Donald Trump.

However, there are also expectations that Tai's trade policies related to China will not be lenient. In August this year, at an event, she stated, "I believe there is a strong political consensus on the need for an aggressive and resolute response regarding competition with China."

She has also described Trump's trade policy toward China as "largely defensive." The focus is on whether China will follow the rules, and if not, responding accordingly. This suggests that the Biden administration may also pursue an assertive trade policy, albeit in a different form.

She is also known to have a positive view of the effects of aggressive trade policies. Tai has expressed the opinion that pursuing aggressive trade policies is a way to protect American workers, industries, and allies. Additionally, she has argued that the U.S. government could provide subsidies to domestic industries to reduce dependence on China.

Tai has worked in public service as a China-related attorney at the USTR from 2007 to 2014 and has since worked in the U.S. Congress. During her time at the USTR, she was involved in filing complaints against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

After taking office, she will also need to address issues such as the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and decisions on various trade measures enacted during the Trump administration.

Her sudden appointment is said to have been strongly supported by Democratic lawmakers. Considering that congressional counsel typically serve as advisors even when moving to the USTR, her appointment is unusual. It is said that she demonstrated her capabilities fully during negotiations between Congress and the Trump administration at the time of USMCA ratification last year. According to the WSJ, many trade experts view the USMCA as containing strong provisions related to labor and environmental protection, making it a model for future U.S. government trade agreements.

Tai, a graduate of Yale University and Harvard University, also has experience teaching English to Chinese students for two years at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.