U.S. Trade Rep. Tai Says Implementation of Phase-One China Trade Deal and Broader China Review Still Ongoing

Yesterday, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). In that context, she commented on Chinese commitments under the Phase One trade deal to purchase agricultural products from the United States, saying that USTR would continue to push for China to implement. She also indicated that the comprehensive review of U.S. trade polices in relation to China is still ongoing. The full exchange is below:

Question: Our first question involves China. Will the administration engage in discussions with China regarding continuation of its commitment to purchase agricultural products and other products from the United States, as provided for in the US-China Phase One agreement?

Katherine Tai: That's a great question, because I understand the importance and the interest that the American farm sector has in maintaining market access to China, especially given its role as the largest importer of food and agricultural products from the United States. I want everyone to know that my staff here continues to work with China to implement its commitments under the Phase One agreement, including those related to agricultural market access and purchases. As you know, we have been conducting a comprehensive review of the US-China trade relationship at USTR and the US-China relationship more broadly across the administration. Trade is a key pillar of this relationship and therefore of the review. I want to assure everyone at the NASDA of how seriously we take this relationship, and that we know that this is one of the most consequential relationships of our time. So it is worth our taking the time to get it right, and we need to be hearing from you about your interests and your priorities.