U.S. trade representative discusses North Carolina economic growth at Forsyth Tech
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says revitalizing manufacturing is the key to North Carolina’s economic growth at Forsyth Tech discussion.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says revitalizing manufacturing is the key to North Carolina’s economic growth at Forsyth Tech discussion.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says revitalizing manufacturing is the key to North Carolina’s economic growth at Forsyth Tech discussion.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—A member of President Joe Biden’s cabinet visited the Triad Thursday.
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai took part in a discussion on the Biden Administration’s economic agenda at Forsyth Technical Community College.
The discussion was facilitated by Christopher Chung, the chief executive officer of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
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The discussion started with an explanation of the main functions of the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Tai said her job is to advise and negotiate trade policies that benefit the United States.
Tai is the 19th person to hold the position of United States trade representative. She said the role has been focused on international trade policies in the past, and while that is still important, she wants to turn her focus to Americans.
“Everything about our lives is impacted by trade,” she said.
Tai was sworn into her role in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when supply chain breakdowns made it difficult and expensive for Americans to get the products and services they needed.
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Tai says her office's previous policies contributed to those supply chain issues, and she is working to build supply chain resilience.
“If we were a part of the problem, then we must also be able to be a part of the solution,” Tai said.
Tai believes that encouraging American industry is one way the country can secure its supply chains. She says North Carolina can play a large role in building up supply chains, particularly in manufacturing.
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WXII 12 News sat down with Tai after the event. She acknowledged that the Triad's manufacturing has declined in the past few decades but says she wants to maintain and grow manufacturing in the region.
“This area used to have even more manufacturing, whether it’s furniture or textiles, and a lot of that has washed offshore over time,” she said. “Now, that’s something we want to correct for.”
That is one reason Tai visited Forsyth Tech. The event marked her first-ever visit to a community college. She says community colleges like Forsyth Tech give people the diverse skills needed to be successful in the 21st-century economy.
“From our perspective, it’s about really connecting the dots and opening the doors between our people and our jobs and opportunities,” Tai said.
Tai will continue her visit to North Carolina on Friday by touring a furniture manufacturing facility in High Point and a textile manufacturing facility in Burlington. She says she is spending time in the state with one goal in mind.
“It’s about creating jobs here in North Carolina,” Tai said.
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