The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office said Monday that it would continue negotiations for upcoming trade talks despite having run out of funds due to the federal shutdown.
“USTR has implemented its lapse in appropriations contingency plan,” the office said in a terse statement Monday. “Excepted personnel will ensure USTR continues to conduct operations, including trade negotiations and enforcement.”
The announcement that key officials will keep working while others will be furloughed comes as the administration is gearing up for major talks with China later this month and is planning similar talks with Japanese and European Union officials in the coming months.
The federal government shutdown entered its 24th day Monday, making it the longest on record. Congress passed legislation last week to ensure that all federal employees would be paid what they would have earned once the government reopens.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is set to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in Washington on Jan. 30 to begin the latest round of talks to end the ongoing trade fight between the nations. It would be the first direct talks between the nations’ top trade officials since Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed last month to restart negotiations.
Trump has imposed a March deadline to make progress before raising tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent, up from 10 percent.
A spokesperson for the office could not be reached for comment.
