U.S., British Officials Kick Off Talks to Strengthen Trade Ties

• U.S. and British officials kicked off two days of meetings on Monday to strengthen trade ties, underscoring the importance of transatlantic cooperation at a time when Western allies are ratcheting up pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine and China for failing to condemn it. 
• The talks in Baltimore mark a broad effort to take stock of the $260.0Bn bilateral trade relationship, while specific irritants will be set aside and dealt with separately. 
• U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the two allies had resolved disputes over aircraft subsidies and digital services tax and were now working together closely to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine. 
• Tai told a plenary attended by dozens of U.S. and British executives and trade officials that in the battle between democracy and autocracy, democracies are rising to the moment and the world is clearly choosing the side of peace and security, so it's never been more important for them to work to strengthen their economic ties with their closest allies, like the United Kingdom. 
• Tai said U.S. and British officials would work to identify mutual trade priorities and chart a path to promote innovation and inclusive economic growth for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.

(Source: Reuters)