NEW YORK – The United States is not prepared to lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the short term, but is open to possible trade negotiations with Beijing, according to its new trade representative, Katherine Tai.
In her first interview since it was confirmed by the Senate, Tai assured The Wall Street Journal that quickly eliminating those measures could hurt the economy unless the change is made in a way that allows companies in the country to plan and make adjustments.
The US official also pointed to tactical reasons, underlining that “no negotiator gives up advantages” in the face of possible talks.
Last December, before taking office, US President Joe Biden had already said that he was not going to immediately withdraw the tariffs on China approved by his predecessor, Donald Trump, but since his arrival at the White House he has not has returned to address the issue in depth.
Under the Trump administration, the US imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth about $370 billion annually, around three-quarters of the Asian country’s exports, to which Beijing responded with its own measures against US exports.
The tariffs remain in effect even though the two sides signed an agreement to try to end their trade war and Washington sees them as an important part of ensuring that China fulfills the commitments of that pact, something that so far has not done in full.
In the interview, Tai indicated her willingness to negotiate with China, but did not give details about possible contacts, which will arrive “at the right time,” she said.
President Trump announced that he will impose an extra 10% duty on products from China; the Asian country is already preparing its response.
Tai’s appointment was approved unanimously this month in the US Senate, unusual given the current political polarization in Washington.
In addition to dealing with China, the main tasks of the Trade representative include managing the battle with the European Union (EU) over subsidies to Boeing and Airbus and overseeing compliance with the renewed trade agreement between her country, Mexico and Canada, the T-MEC, which came into force in July 2020.