Sen. Kaine Questions US Commitment to APEP, Lack of Trade Focus

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., is asking the Biden administration to strengthen the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), concerned that the aim has moved from an on-paper agreement to a mere forum.

"A strong and ambitious partnership with our neighbors has the potential to help make progress on areas of critical importance to the United States, such as working to near shore supply chains to enhance resiliency against future risks and building the supply chains of the future in areas like clean energy manufacturing. It can create a better future for our citizens and working families across the hemisphere," he wrote Oct. 5 in a letter to the State Department, White House and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Kaine complained that since launching APEP in June 2022, the administration has taken no "significant steps to implement APEP."

He wrote: "Please describe in detail what concrete progress has been made to implement APEP since its announcement. Please provide a timeline of what concrete actions the Administration envisions taking place under APEP in the next six months."

He asked: "Does the Administration still intend to pursue all five of the pillars initially announced as the focus of APEP?" If not, "please describe in detail what the new areas of focus for APEP will be."

He also asked: "Is expanding trade and investment among participating nations a goal of APEP? If so, please describe in detail how APEP intends to achieve this, including whether APEP will create a pathway to opening negotiations for foreign trade agreements with participating nations that currently lack one. If not, please explain in detail why expanding trade and investment among participating nations is not a goal."

Kaine is chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.