Every week, the USTR website will explore a new trade topic, with background information and current trade data. On July 21 and 22, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will be in Singapore at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial meeting - so this week's trade topic is U.S. trade relations with APEC member economies.
Joan Hurst serves as the Acting Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy. In this role, Ms. Hurst oversees the development and implementation of policies related to agriculture and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
Previously, Ms. Hurst served as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the same office, and has led bilateral engagement on agricultural trade issues with trading partners including India, China, Kenya and the Philippines.
February 09, 2026
WASHINGTON — Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer joined Bangladesh’s Adviser for Commerce, Textiles and Jute, and Civil Aviation and Tourism Sheikh Bashir Uddin in signing the United States–Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.
CONTINUING TO DELIVER ON RECIPROCAL TRADE: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced a trade agreement that will provide the United States with unprecedented levels of market access in Bangladesh and strengthen our bilateral economic relationship. The United States and Bangladesh reached an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, a legally binding agreement, that will provide American exporters with access to Bangladesh’s market of 175 million people while bolstering U.S. national and economic security.
February 06, 2026
WASHINGTON – Today, Ambassador Greer issued a statement following President Trump’s announcement of a Joint Statement for a Trade Deal with India, removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to open up India’s market of over 1.4 billion people to American products.
February 05, 2026
WASHINGTON – Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer joined Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship Pablo Quirno in signing the United States–Argentina Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment (ARTI).
February 04, 2026
WASHINGTON – Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced that the United States, the European Commission, and Japan intend to develop Action Plans for critical minerals supply chain resilience. Under these Action Plans, the United States, the European Commission, and Japan will develop coordinated trade policies and mechanisms, such as border-adjusted price floors, that can mitigate critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities.
February 04, 2026
WASHINGTON – Today, Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced the enactment of the U.S.-Mexico Action Plan on Critical Minerals. Under this first-of-its-kind Action Plan, the United States and Mexico will work to develop coordinated trade policies and mechanisms that mitigate critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities.
