Carolyn Morrisroe, carolyn.morrisroe@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President-elect Joe Biden announced he will nominate Katherine Tai, chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, as U.S. Trade Representative.
The USTR plays a crucial role by coordinating U.S. international trade policy and overseeing trade negotiations with other countries. If confirmed, Tai would be the first Asian American and first woman of color in the cabinet-level position.
In response, Sierra Club Living Economy Program Director Ben Beachy released the following statement:
“Katherine Tai has spent years working to change the status quo model of trade that helps corporate polluters shift jobs and emissions to countries with weaker standards. Katherine’s leadership as U.S. Trade Representative would equip the U.S. to establish a new, climate-friendly trade model that supports a just economic recovery, racial equity, and climate action.
“The Sierra Club is proud to endorse Katherine Tai as President-elect Biden’s nominee for USTR and we look forward to working with her to establish a new approach to trade that upholds the goals of ‘Build Back Better.’”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.