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Robert Lighthizer

18 posts

The USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism: What Do Workers Expect?

I want to thank Kathleen Claussen for succinctly summarizing last week’s Second USMCA Rapid Response Labor Panel. Many of us missed the panel discussion while participating in the fantastic ASIL International Economic Law Interest Group Biennial Conference (my kudos to the organizers). Professor Claussen points out the Mexican government’

Lighthizer's Proposal for the Trading System

Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had a recent NY Times op-ed in which he argues for some big changes to the trading system. He starts off by complaining about other governments' industrial policies: What brought down the postwar trading order was the rise in many countries of

Whither the Worker-Centered Trade Policy?

The Biden administration changed U.S. trade policy significantly when it adopted a “worker-centered” trade policy that justified entering into “frameworks” and not trade agreements. That policy didn’t win many accolades from the trade crowd. Many critics felt that it forewent critical opportunities by refusing to discuss market access

Katherine Tai on Bob Lighthizer

This is from an exchange with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai at an Atlantic Council event today (starts around 48:30): Q: Ambassador, I wondered if you could tell us where your views overlap with those of Bob Lighthizer and where your views differ. Tai: ... Where our views are

Some Responses to Lighthizer's Recommendations for the WTO

Former U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer has a new book on trade policy. I haven't read the whole book, and I'll leave a full review to others. However, I did come across an excerpt of his seven specific recommendations for the WTO, and I had

What Does Bob Lighthizer Think of the Trump Administration's Trade Policy?

On his TV show, former Trump administration official Larry Kudlow was talking to Trump's U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer about various trade issues, including whether Lighthizer thought the Trump administration's China trade policy was successful. Not surprisingly, Lighthizer thought this policy was quite good, even

The Trump/Lighthizer Legacy on Trade

With the Trump administration now finished, we are in the period where people will be spinning Trump's time in office into the narrative they want to create. On trade policy, Trump's U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spent some of his final weeks in office trying

Giorgio Sacerdoti Letter to the WSJ in Response to Lighthizer's Op-Ed

Giorgio Sacerdoti sent along the following letter he wrote in response to the Lighthizer WSJ op-ed from last month: Letter to the Editor, Wall Street Journal Milan, 29 August 2020 Dear Mr Lemmer, It was refreshing for all those who believe in the advantages of a multilateral rule-based trading system

Food Regulation, Science, Protectionism, and Regulatory Autonomy/Sovereignty

I feel like the role of science in trade agreements doesn't get enough attention, and I'm always excited to see someone trying to raise the profile of this issue. Here is a question from Congressman Earl Blumenauer at last week's House Ways and Means

Congress Asks Lighthizer About the Sunset Clause

I have been suggesting that Congress should clarify its role in the decision required under the USMCA's sunset clause on whether to extend the agreement, and Congressman Steven Horsford came through for me at yesterday's House Ways and Means Committee hearing (starts at 3:37:50)