Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 3/15/21

National Security Advisor Jake Sullian said Friday that the U.S. does not plan to focus on trade with China when senior officials from the countries gather for their first in-person meeting this week, reports POLITICO’s Steven Overly.

Yet trade insiders in D.C. aren’t worried about their issues falling down the priority list. The Senate has yet to confirm Trade Representative nominee Katherine Tai, they point out, which could happen as early as this week. The administration likely wants to avoid talking specifics on trade until Tai is in place, especially given concerns in D.C. trade circles that longtime Biden aides like Sullivan and Blinken could box the White House newcomer out of policymaking.


But the GOP wants trade talks soon. Republican trade leaders say economic conversations should begin in earnest. House Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) on Friday urged Biden’s team to push for “full compliance” with the phase one trade deal and quickly “move on to serious negotiations about phase two.”