A group of top US senators blasted President Joe Biden's chief negotiator for failure to consult with lawmakers regarding the administration's positions, reports Bloomberg News.
US trade representative (USTR) Katherine Tai's recent consultations with Congress haven't met the standard of transparency principles announced last year, according to a letter from the Senate Finance Committee.
More specifically, the senators faulted her for failing to consult on progress in World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks related to the waiver of intellectual property rights for Covid vaccines.
The trade agency publicly announced a compromise outcome with the EU, India, and South Africa before consulting with members of Congress and their staff.
'We want to ensure that this failure to consult properly with Congress will not be replicated in other areas,' said the lawmakers.
The lawmakers cited concerns about being properly consulted in negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), that the Biden administration plans to launch with countries including Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand.
'It is essential for USTR to improve consultation with Congress and stakeholders,' said the lawmakers.
Said Massachusetts state representative Alice Peisch: 'We have routinely consulted Congress and sought input from stakeholders as the administration works to facilitate an outcome on intellectual property at the WTO.'
'Those efforts have increased since the director-general released text last week and they will continue before an agreement is reached on this or any other issue.'
SeaNews Turkey
US trade representative (USTR) Katherine Tai's recent consultations with Congress haven't met the standard of transparency principles announced last year, according to a letter from the Senate Finance Committee.
More specifically, the senators faulted her for failing to consult on progress in World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks related to the waiver of intellectual property rights for Covid vaccines.
The trade agency publicly announced a compromise outcome with the EU, India, and South Africa before consulting with members of Congress and their staff.
'We want to ensure that this failure to consult properly with Congress will not be replicated in other areas,' said the lawmakers.
The lawmakers cited concerns about being properly consulted in negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), that the Biden administration plans to launch with countries including Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand.
'It is essential for USTR to improve consultation with Congress and stakeholders,' said the lawmakers.
Said Massachusetts state representative Alice Peisch: 'We have routinely consulted Congress and sought input from stakeholders as the administration works to facilitate an outcome on intellectual property at the WTO.'
'Those efforts have increased since the director-general released text last week and they will continue before an agreement is reached on this or any other issue.'
SeaNews Turkey