Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released the following readout after he met with two of President Biden’s nominees for United States Trade Representative (USTR). Brown met with Maria Pagán, nominee for Deputy USTR at the World Trade Organization, and Christopher Wilson, nominee for Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator at USTR.
“I had good meetings with Ms. Pagán and Mr. Wilson and they both committed to centering their respective roles at USTR around worker-centered policies.
“Ms. Pagán agreed that there is a need for fundamental change at the WTO to ensure that global trade policy is connected to elevated worker outcomes, as opposed to being a tool for a global race to the bottom on labor rights. She also briefly outlined her plan to work with partner countries to address China’s systematic undermining of the global system at the WTO.
“Although the role of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator was created to protect corporations, Mr. Wilson committed to reinventing this role and taking a worker-centered approach that incorporates strong labor standards and protects American innovation.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has already made great strides in new, pro-worker trade policy and I’m confident that these two nominees will continue that fight to level the playing field for workers. I look forward to their confirmation and to working with them to help improve the lives of workers and their families.”
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