Tai: USTR Can Back TRIPS Waiver Talks Without Congressional Approval

U.S. Trade Representative Katherina Tai on Wednesday defended the Biden administration’s decision to support talks on waiving some World Trade Organization intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, telling skeptical senators she acted within her authority to take that position without congressional input. Tai last week announced the U.S. would support waiving certain commitments under the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights for coronavirus vaccines and “actively participate” in text-based negotiations. The announcement was lauded by civil society...