Questions from lawmakers submitted after hearings can cover a lot of ground, and one released this week by the Senate Finance Committee that were asked of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer underscored that situation.
Lighthizer was asked about whether declining staff numbers at USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) due to the pending move of the agency to Kansas City would impact the ability of this Administration to investigate and enforce violations of WTO or FTA obligations.
“Over the years, USTR has worked with USDA to perform economic analysis for various agricultural trade issues and negotiations, including in support of enforcement actions related to obligations under WTO and FTA agreements,” Lighthizer said. “USTR expects to continue receiving this type of support from USDA regardless of the location of USDA employees. We do not believe the proposed relocation of ERS employees to Kansas City will have any effect on our ability to continue this interagency cooperation.”
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