Biden Administration Releases Updated Trade Agenda

Earlier this month, the Office of the United States Trade Representative released the Biden administration’s 2022 Trade Policy Agenda and 2021 Annual Report, which is required by law and which outlines the current administration’s trade priorities for the coming months and year.

The report also provides an overview of the measures the administration already has taken to address unfair trading practices, including when it comes to unfair trade of industrial metals.

In terms of future trade policy, the administration pledged to:

• Focus on U.S. trade agreements, with a particular focus on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement rapid response labor mechanism and supporting U.S. agriculture exports.
• Enhance U.S. engagement with trading partners, including deepening economic ties in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting a reform agenda at the World Trade Organization, defending U.S. economic interests at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and leveraging trade policy as a tool to address irritants and common challenges with U.S. trading partners.
• Ensure fair competition with China, engaging with partners and allies on China-related challenges and using economic tools to defend U.S. interests.
• Broaden engagement with partners, stakeholders and Members of Congress on trade policy policies.
• Combat climate change and promoting sustainable environmental practices, while pursuing new trade policies that can address environmental concerns.
• Continue to strengthen supply chains and identifying supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Review and strengthen existing U.S. trade tools.