Beth Baltzan, a former Democratic trade counsel at the House Ways and Means Committee and career staffer in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, has been named a senior advisor to USTR Katherine Tai. “She understands the connective tissues in our economy and I look forward to leaning on her expertise and guidance as we shape a worker-centric trade policy,” Tai said in a statement announcing the appointment. Baltzan has testified before Congress that the World Trade Organization hobbled trade remedies (see 1905220038) and has been critical of the impulse to lower tariffs as the primary approach of trade policy (see 1905220038).

The chief trade counsel for the Democratic majority on the Senate Finance Committee, and Joe Biden's former head of economic and domestic policy when he was vice president have been nominated as deputy U.S. trade representatives. Sarah Bianchi, who works at Evercore ISI, and senate staffer Jayme White were named by the White House on April 16. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., White's boss, called both “top-notch” choices, adding, “I am excited to see these nominations move forward as soon as possible.”

Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is listed as one of many advisers to the Advancing American Freedom issue advocacy group. The group is led by former Vice President Mike Pence. The group is arguing on behalf of pro-life policies, including the right of medical workers to avoid abortion-related care; taxpayer subsidies for private and religious schools through locally run programs or tax-advantaged savings plans; finishing the border wall; arguing against returning to the Iran nuclear deal; and pushing for other trade deals like USMCA.