United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai recently issued a statement in honor of Earth Day, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to safeguarding the environment and its critical ecosystems.
Tai drew attention to the urgent need for environmental protection, citing recent natural disasters such as wildfires, droughts, and floods as stark reminders of the climate crisis’s impact on vulnerable communities.
Underlining the Biden-Harris Administration’s belief in trade as a tool for addressing global environmental challenges, Tai outlined the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s efforts to align international trade policies with domestic environmental initiatives and collaborate with global partners on shared environmental objectives.
Specifically, Tai highlighted ongoing negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) aimed at implementing stricter regulations on harmful fisheries subsidies and leveraging trade mechanisms to combat climate change and plastic pollution. She stressed the importance of transparency in fishing practices to prevent forced labor and protect marine sustainability.
I can buy myself flowers…but I can also grow my own! 🌸🌷🌼🪻
Thank you @EPAMichaelRegan and @EPA for all you do, on #EarthDay and every day. pic.twitter.com/uBa3o31WNc
— Ambassador Katherine Tai (@AmbassadorTai) April 22, 2024Moreover, Tai emphasized USTR’s engagement with organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to promote environmentally friendly trade practices and disseminate decarbonization technologies worldwide.
Under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), USTR has established interagency agreements to strengthen environmental oversight and enforcement, focusing on forestry management, combating illegal resource harvesting, and enhancing marine conservation efforts.
Despite progress made, Tai acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. She reiterated USTR’s commitment to leading efforts to address these crises through trade engagements and environmentally conscious policies.