Tai Confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative in 98-0 Senate Vote

Katherine Tai easily won Senate confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative, putting the former congressional staffer at the center of thorny decisions on enforcement and tariffs that President Joe Biden inherited from Donald Trump.

The Senate approved Tai, the first woman of color to serve in the job, in a 98-0 vote on Wednesday. She joins a team expected to build support with allies to confront China on issues from persecution of its Uighur minority in the western region of Xinjiang to trade practices that violate international commitments.

Katherine Tai, U.S. trade representative nominee for U.S. President Joe Biden, speaks during a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Tai is pledging to work with allies to take on China while also embarking on a pragmatic approach to the Asian nation, saying it’s both a rival and partner whose cooperation the U.S. needs to address global challenges.

Tai received bipartisan support throughout the confirmation process, with Senate Minority Leader ...