The Biden Administration's Worker-Centered Trade Policy

On May 17th, ASPI Vice President Wendy Cutler joined a moderated discussion with Nick Wadhams, Senior Foreign Policy Reporter at Bloomberg News, about the Biden administration’s trade policy.

Cutler explains how the U.S. worker-centered trade policy is still a “work in progress,” as the Biden administration continues to focus on domestic issues, including COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, supply chains, and infrastructure investment. However, there is traction being made particularly in areas where trade aligns closely with these priorities. Cutler also argues there is a way to pursue a “worker centric foreign policy” and “trade policy for the middle class” without resorting to protectionism, although this would need to be done, “very skillfully and in close consultation with our allies and partners.” Cutler also shares, “we are seeing a more thoughtful trade policy already, one that is based on working with allies and partners, with the administration in no rush to engage with China until they figure out their overall strategic policy toward China.”