NCTO president Kim Glas said she approves of White for the role of chief textiles and apparel negotiator due to her extensive background in trade policy and track record in shaping legislative frameworks.
White most recently worked as an International Trade Policy Advisor on the House Ways and Means Committee, and before that, at the US Department of Commerce and the White House.
Glas said: “Given the prominence of both the agency and her political appointment, we know she will play a highly instrumental role in shaping policy impacting our industry. She is a fantastic choice."
She continued: “We look forward to coordinating with her on manufacturing and worker-centred trade policy that will help bolster the vital domestic textile sector.”
USTR's Office of Textiles is responsible for international trade negotiations concerning textile and apparel products at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels, with a focus on opening foreign markets to US domestic producers.
“Strengthening America’s textile industry is a key priority for USTR,” said United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to crafting trade policy that supports industry revitalisation and resilience. Ms. White is a skilled and strategic trade negotiator, and I look forward to continuing this work with her as we fight for a better deal for America’s textile manufacturers.”
White’s tenure in Congress saw her closely collaborating with industry stakeholders, including the textile and apparel sector, in crafting legislative frameworks that promote economic growth and competitiveness such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
White’s experience in trade policy dates back to her time at the International Trade Administration within the US Department of Commerce in 2018, where she began her career as a presidential management fellow. Her portfolio includes stints at the National Economic Council and various Washington-based think tanks, providing her with an understanding of international economic and foreign policy issues.
