White House Chief of Staff: "USTR Representative to Discuss Vaccine Patent Waiver with WTO"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Senior White House officials have stated that COVID-19 vaccines will be supplied not only to India but also to other countries, and discussions are underway regarding the waiver of vaccine patents. Senator Bernie Sanders, a leading figure in the American progressive camp, pressured the U.S. government for change by citing moral responsibility concerning vaccine distribution centered on wealthy countries.

U.S. President Joe Biden is talking with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders after the joint session of Congress address.

On the 2nd (local time), Chief of Staff Ron Klain previewed in an interview with CBS that "Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), will begin talks next week with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding vaccine distribution and technology transfer." He also anticipated that the White House would make an announcement related to this.

Jake Sullivan, National Security Council (NSC) advisor, also emphasized in an interview with ABC that "pharmaceutical companies must supply vaccines at minimal cost so that no one faces barriers to vaccination."

AP News reported that although USTR Tai did not respond to questions about Klain’s remarks, the interest shown by senior White House officials in nullifying vaccine patents is significant.

The White House is under pressure to temporarily suspend vaccine patents amid the massive COVID-19 outbreak in India.

After announcing the supply of 60 million doses of reserved vaccines overseas, the U.S. first sent 20 million doses and raw materials to India, but public opinion is spreading that this amount is insufficient.

Senator Bernie Sanders, representing the progressive camp, said in an interview with NBC, "It is morally repugnant that wealthy countries are getting vaccinated while poor countries cannot afford vaccines," and emphasized, "When millions of lives are at risk, pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to use their patents to produce vaccines."

For the White House, which actively reflects Sanders’ progressive agenda in its policies, it is difficult to ignore his remarks.

As vaccinations in the U.S. have surpassed 200 million doses and reached a peak, the increasing stockpile of vaccines has drawn criticism of American vaccine nationalism.

Although USTR Tai has held consecutive meetings with pharmaceutical company representatives to discuss patent sharing, the companies are reportedly opposing vaccine patent sharing, arguing that it would benefit China and Russia.

However, it is reported that there are differing opinions within the White House regarding the suspension of vaccine patents and expanding supply through increased domestic production.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that various discussions are underway about expanding domestic production and vaccine supply as well as patent waivers.

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