The Office of the United States Trade Representative has concluded a robust public engagement process aimed at advancing supply chain resilience through trade policy initiatives. The USTR convened four public hearings and received nearly 300 written submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, including labor unions, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, companies, trade associations, and foreign governments.
The public engagement process was initiated through a Federal Register notice published in March, which outlined a new trade policy vision focused on promoting resilient supply chains. The USTR emphasized that resilient supply chains should provide a range of sourcing options, adapt and recover quickly from shocks, uphold labor rights and environmental protections, and strengthen the U.S. manufacturing base and workforce.
To achieve these objectives, the USTR sought information on developing sector-specific policy tools, strengthening domestic manufacturing and services, collaborating with like-minded trading partners and allies, and measuring resilience. The public hearings, held in Washington, D.C., St. Paul, Minnesota, New York, New York, and virtually, saw testimony from 84 witnesses, representing a diverse array of stakeholders.
Ambassador Katherine Tai expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the public comment process, highlighting the importance of reevaluating earlier policy approaches and thinking creatively and strategically to drive supply chain resilience. She emphasized that gathering and evaluating public input is a major part of the process as the Biden-Harris Administration continues to use trade to benefit all Americans.
USTR Special Counsel Victor Ban, who chaired the hearings, acknowledged the challenging and wide-ranging nature of supply chain resilience in trade policy. He stressed the value of engaging with stakeholders and understanding their concerns and expertise, noting that the USTR looks forward to reviewing the written submissions and revisiting the hearing testimony as they consider new policy tools and approaches.
The public engagement process has provided the USTR with valuable insights and perspectives from a diverse range of stakeholders. Labor unions and labor rights NGOs have likely emphasized the importance of upholding workers' rights and ensuring fair labor practices throughout the supply chain. Environmental NGOs have probably advocated for the incorporation of environmental protections and sustainability measures in trade policies.
Think tanks, companies, and trade associations have likely provided insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with strengthening domestic manufacturing and services, as well as collaborating with trading partners and allies. Foreign governments have probably shared their perspectives on the global nature of supply chains and the importance of international cooperation in promoting resilience.
The USTR expects to synthesize the public comments over the coming months and release additional information to the public. This process will involve carefully reviewing and evaluating the written submissions and hearing testimony to identify common themes, concerns, and recommendations. The insights gained from this public engagement will inform the development of new trade policy tools and approaches aimed at promoting supply chain resilience.
