Economy Diplomacy at the Forefront: A conversation with Peter Haas, Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs, DoS

On April 8, 2021 the Meridian Corporate Council partnered with Delta Airlines to host a virtual conversation with Mr. Peter Haas, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic Affairs, for a discussion on the Biden Administration's economic diplomacy strategy. Haas acknowledged the importance of the formulating sustainable international policies in the post COVID-19 era and stated his commitment to building back better domestically and internationally.

Mr. Peter Haas is the Acting Assistant Secretary is the Bureau of Economic Affairs. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Prior to his current role, Haas also served as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. Consul General in Mumbai, India, and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Throughout the briefing, Haas emphasized President Biden’s desire to align foreign policy and domestic issues during his presidency, specifically creating foreign policy for the middle class. Hass explained the Administration plans to implement this international strategy by putting an emphasis on working families, fighting climate change, and utilizing modern innovation and technology to push for global economic reform. Top Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee agree with practice and have proposed legislation to modify President Trump’s 2017 tax reforms that they claim incentivize companies to shift profits to tax haven countries. In addition to building domestic capital, Haas spoke extensively about the importance of reestablishing international relationships and rebuilding alliances around the world. The United States and the United Kingdom have executed this promise and announced a four-month suspension of tariffs over aircraft subsidies, after over a decade of international trade disputes. Haas concluded his remarks by stating that the global issues the United States face did not change on January 21^st, 2021; however, the Administration is taking steps to transform the country’s current international standing.