[CTC] USTR Says Transparency Commitments Don't Apply to IPEF

[Arthur Stamoulis]

POLITICO Pro's Morning Trade 
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 5:47 AM

A BRIEF GLIMPSE OF U.S. IPEF GOALS: A USTR spokesperson called the short outline of the agency’s negotiating objectives "a vision document that is guiding our conversations with IPEF partners and stakeholders." It runs just slightly more than two pages, although USTR said it could be updated at a later date.

In May 2021, the Biden administration committed to following certain “Guidelines for Consultation and Engagement” developed by the Obama administration in 2015.

Those guidelines say “at least 30 days before initiating negotiations for a trade agreement, USTR will publish a detailed and comprehensive summary of the specific objectives with respect to the negotiations and a description of how the agreement, if successfully concluded, will further thoseobjectives and benefit the United States.”

The guidelines also say USTR will hold a public hearing on the negotiating objectives. However, a USTR spokesperson said those transparency commitments that Tai reaffirmed do not apply to IPEF since it is an “executive” agreement not subject to congressional approval.


Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826