United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met on April 18 with labor leaders from the Philippines and discussed the strong relationship between the two countries.
Ambassador Tai detailed President Joe Biden’s commitment to empowering organized labor and his vision for worker-centered trade policies that benefit people around the world.
She highlighted her engagement with domestic and international labor leaders and the sustained U.S. support for the advancement of workers’ rights and protections in the Philippines.
She also discussed the ongoing negotiations to develop the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework with high-standard labor commitments that facilitate a race to the top in trade. She noted the importance of bringing governments, employers, and workers together to integrate the concerns of workers and create resilient, sustainable and inclusive trade policies across the region.
Lastly, she also heard concerns about significant challenges to human rights, freedom of association and collective bargaining.
