U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Latvia

The two officials discussed transatlantic economic relations and future cooperation opportunities, including cooperation in the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and strengthening economic security.

According to her office, Tai was also due to "participate in stakeholder events and discuss opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Latvian trade and investment relationship in addition to our collaborative efforts to support Ukraine."

Tai also met with Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, and visited Riga Technical University and Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA.

A joint press conference of Rinkēvičs and Tai can be watched via the link below.

After congraulating Rinkēvičs on his soon-to-be new job and noting how pleasant Rīga seemed, Tai said: "My visit this week is very timely because our countries face a lot of important shared challenges."

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine, "Our two countries are positioned to emerge stronger as a united front," Tai said, stressing the need to combat sanctions evasion in particular, while praising the rapid development of US-EU trade relations under the Biden administration.

For his part, Latvia's Foreign Minister said: “Latvia is interested in, and open to US investments, especially in the Latvian information and technology companies and strategic infrastructure projects such as Rail Baltica. At the same time, access by Latvian companies to the US market must be promoted.”

Ambassador Katherine Tai was sworn in as the 19th United States Trade Representative on March 18, 2021. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, Ambassador Tai is the principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on U.S. trade policy.