WASHINGTON – Today, in testimony before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), global tech trade association ITI’s Director of Trade Policy Kyle Johnson urged the Biden Administration to utilize trade policy as a key tool to advance U.S. supply chain resiliency efforts. During the hearing Promoting Supply Chain Resilience, Johnson outlined how expanding robust, binding commitments on trade and enforcing existing international trade agreements with U.S. trading partners will enhance the success of the U.S. government’s supply chain initiatives.
Johnson also recommended USTR prioritize efforts to reduce and prevent tariffs abroad and urged USTR to complete its four-year review of the Section 301 tariffs which have caused significant harm to U.S. businesses and consumers, exacerbated the effects of global inflation by raising the price of goods, and disadvantaged U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
“Trade policy is an underutilized yet critical tool in U.S. supply chain resilience efforts. Pursuing trade openness – both for securing U.S. exporters’ access to foreign markets, and in deterring discriminatory or overly broad protectionist policies at home – can best support the government’s supply chain resilience goals. USTR should therefore seek to expand robust, binding commitments that facilitate trade; ensure trading partners adhere to their international commitments; and address tariffs and non-tariff barriers that disrupt supply chains,” Johnson testified. “Further, USTR should engage with allies and trading partners to address any potential barriers to trade and to ensure these policies do not undermine U.S. and global supply chain resilience.”
Read ITI’s full testimony here.