Industry groups call for action on trade

Leading U.S. industry organizations have called for a strategic meeting with the Biden Administration to discuss enhancements to U.S. trade policy. The letter, addressed to Jacob Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and Dr. Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, was signed by a diverse coalition representing sectors including agriculture, automotive, aerospace, chemicals, technology, and healthcare.

The signatories expressed support for the Administration’s aim to incorporate the interests of all Americans into trade policy but warned that rising trade barriers currently threaten the livelihoods of many sectors reliant on two-way trade.

Highlighting the recent recommendations from the President’s Export Council and the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the letter emphasized the urgent need for the U.S. to engage in commercially meaningful negotiations with allies and partners.

Key Recommendations:

1. Negotiation of Preferential Trade Agreements: The letter advocates for the negotiation of new trade agreements with U.S. allies to create economic opportunities, enforce labor and environmental standards, protect intellectual property, and bolster national security through strategic economic ties.

2. Investment and Export Competitiveness: It calls for policies that incentivize domestic investment and workforce expansion, support U.S. agricultural competitiveness, and enforce existing trade rules against discriminatory practices.

3. Economic Diversification and Equity: The organizations stress the importance of access to global markets and inputs to reduce inflation, national debt, and improve economic outcomes for lower-income Americans.

4. Workforce Competitiveness: The letter suggests a coordinated workforce development initiative to upskill American workers, ensuring they can benefit from new trade agreements.

5. Support for Broader Economic Policies: The coalition recommends that trade policy should align with national economic objectives, including strengthening supply chains for semiconductors, advanced batteries, and biotechnology.

6. Global Leadership and Alliances: Emphasizing President Biden’s recognition of alliances as a key asset, the letter underscores the importance of U.S. leadership in establishing global trade rules to prevent nations with differing values from dictating these standards.

Call to Action: The organizations seek a meeting with the Administration to discuss how they can partner in advancing a trade policy that supports the U.S. economy and national security. They underline the importance of leveraging U.S. strengths and goodwill in foreign markets to champion rules-based trade frameworks.

Signatories: The letter was signed by a broad array of organizations, including the Advanced Medical Technology Association, American Apparel & Footwear Association, American Automotive Policy Council, National Association of Manufacturers, Semiconductor Industry Association, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others.