TAI
Katherine

• 1. Trade Representative
• 1.1. Nomination
• 1.2. Tenure

Katherine Chi Tai is an American attorney serving as the 19th United States Trade Representative since March 18, 2021. The daughter of Waishengren immigrants from Taiwan, she is the first Asian American to serve in the position.

A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the chief trade counsel for the United States House Committee on Ways and Means.

Trade Representative

Nomination

Tai was nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as Trade Representative in December 2020. Tai has been described as both an "avowed progressive" and as a "consensus builder who can help bridge the Democratic Party's varying views on trade".

Hearings on Tai's nomination were held before the Senate Finance Committee on February 25, 2021. Tai was reported out of the committee by unanimous consent on March 3, 2021. The entire Senate confirmed her on March 17, 2021, in a 98–0 vote; Senators Bernie Sanders and Mazie Hirono were absent for the vote. She became the only member of Biden's cabinet to receive unanimous support.

Tenure

Tai was sworn into office on March 18, 2021. In her service as Trade Representative, Tai holds the rank and style of 'Ambassador,' and is a member of the Cabinet of the United States. As Trade Representative, Tai was credited by some advocates for pushing the Biden administration in favor of the TRIPS Waiver. In June 2021, Tai became the first Trade Representative to address the AFL–CIO in what was described as an effort to reset the USTR's relations with labor unions. As Trade Representative, Tai has been a co-chair of the Trade and Technology Council since its creation in 2021.