October 18, 2021
Taking Stock of the New U.S. Trade Policy on China
The Biden administration has unveiled its long-awaited strategy for U.S.-China trade policy in a major speech delivered on Oct. 4 by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai. Though short on details, Tai’s remarks provided the outline of an overarching strategy to manage China’s “zero-sum” approach to global trade. She affirmed the administration’s broader trade priorities of negotiating from a position of strength—which necessitates substantial investments in the domestic economy—and ensuring that U.S. trade policy reinforces the well-being of workers and the resiliency of critical supply chains.
Though short on details, Tai’s remarks provided the outline of an overarching strategy to manage China’s “zero-sum” approach to global trade.
In this context, the Biden administration’s China trade policy strategy is intended to realign the economic relationship away from U.S. dependency on China and toward an equilibrium where trade is balanced and beneficial to U.S. interests. As outlined in the Oct. 4 speech, core elements of the administration’s strategy will include enforcement of China’s existing trade obligations, including in the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement or “phase one” agreement; direct talks with China on issues beyond the scope of the phase one agreement; closer coordination with allies; and new policy tools to address gaps in existing trade and investment rules.
Read the full article from Lawfare.
More from CNAS
-
Rational Security: The “Adverse Possession” Edition
Podcast
This week, Scott sat down with Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien and Contributing Editor and CNAS adjunct senior fellow Alex Zerden to talk through a few of the week’s big...
By Alex Zerden
-
What if 'America First' Appears to Work? With Tom Wright
Podcast
Tom Wright joins to talk about his recent article, “What if 'America First' Appears to Work?" about the Trump administration’s “might makes right” approach to foreign policy, ...
By Emily Kilcrease & Geoffrey Gertz
-
Economic Security in North America
Reports
Executive Summary The United States, Mexico, and Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiated during President Donald Trump’s first term includes a novel review clause. By July 2026, t...
By Emily Kilcrease & Geoffrey Gertz
-
Hearing on the Operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada
Congressional Testimony
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today. My remarks will focus on the role that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) plays in advancing America’s strategi...
By Emily Kilcrease
