The U.S. Senate has confirmed Katherine Tai as U.S. Trade Representative, reports Politico. In her new role, Tai has pledged to pursue a “worker-centered” trade agenda that builds on environmental and labor protections. In addition, she has pledged to review Trump’s tariffs before making changes, instead focusing on a new NAFTA trade deal and other pacts first.
“Katherine Tai is just the kind of qualified and mainstream person who is positioned to serve President Biden and the country quite well," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said before the confirmation vote. "That is why she received broad bipartisan support from the Finance Committee and why the vote to advance her nomination yesterday was 98-0."
Tai is the first Asian American confirmed to Biden’s Cabinet and the first woman of color to hold the post. She’s also the first trade representative since the George W. Bush administration to be approved unanimously by the Senate. Full Story
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