WASHINGTON, D.C. (NAFB) – A Senior U.S. Senator on trade says there’s no excuse for the Biden Administration not to actively pursue trade deals, despite the pandemic and the need to review the state of earlier talks.

Senate Finance member and former chair Chuck Grassley says the pandemic and top-to-bottom reviews cited by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai last week are not reasons for further delay on trade talks.

As for new Trade Ambassador Tai’s claim she needs more time to review prior talks.

And Grassley sees a mixed bag on enforcing existing deals like USMCA, the subject of consultations this week.

Ambassador Tai stressed enforcement of USMCA in Congressional testimony, while being more circumspect on any commitment to pursue new trade deals.