The Trade Policy Agenda and Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements

On March 1, 2019, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer delivered President Trump’s Trade Policy Agenda and Annual Report to Congress, outlining how the Administration’s trade policies are benefitting American workers and contributing to the strongest economy in decades.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the United States is pursuing trade policies that are more favorable to American workers,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “In just two years, we have significantly re-written major trade deals with Korea, Mexico, and Canada. We have undertaken dramatic new enforcement efforts to stop unfair trading practices by China and other countries. We are aggressively enforcing U.S. trade laws, including by bringing cases under trade agreements, relevant U.S. laws, and at the WTO. We are ensuring that countries receiving benefits under the GSP program live up to eligibility standards set by Congress. These actions and many others are contributing to a stronger U.S. economy, which has generated more jobs and higher wages for American workers.”

To continue these economic gains, in 2019 the Trump Administration is urging Congress to approve the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and is launching new trade negotiations with Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. In addition, the Trump Administration will continue to press China to address long-standing U.S. concerns about unfair trade practices, defend America’s interests at the World Trade Organization, and vigorously enforce U.S. trade laws.

“Our goal is to ensure that hard work and innovation are rewarded, while unfair trade practices and illegal government subsidies are punished,” the report states.

The full report can be viewed here.

A fact sheet can be viewed here.

Background:

Congress requires the U.S. Trade Representative to submit the President’s Trade Policy Agenda and Annual Report by March 1 each year. The Trade Policy Agenda and Annual Report were prepared according to guidelines established under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.