On March 7th, 2024, The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice in the Federal Register seeking input for the development of trade and investment policy on how to create strategies that will help supply chains be more flexible and able to recover quickly from disruptions.
The notice explains that resilient supply chains have several key characteristics. They provide a range of sourcing options, so if one source is disrupted, they can quickly switch to another. They are also able to adapt, rebound, and recover quickly following shocks like natural disasters or economic downturns. Resilient supply chains also prioritize labor rights and environmental protections, ensuring that workers are treated fairly and the environment is protected. Finally, they strengthen the U.S. manufacturing base and workforce, supporting American jobs and industries.
To achieve these objectives, the notice seeks information on several topics. These include developing policy tools specific to different sectors, strengthening domestic manufacturing and services, working with like-minded trading partners and allies, and measuring the resilience of supply chains.
The deadline for written comments in response to the notice is April 22nd, 2024. A public hearing by USTR will commence on May 2, and requests to testify at the hearing must be submitted by April 12. The insights gathered from both the written comments and the hearing will aid USTR in its efforts within the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience.
For more information, please visit the Office of the United States Trade Representative website.