A no-show from the office of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer at a White House meeting to discuss ending a tariff loophole this week left participants feeling “defeated” and questioning the administration’s commitment to President Trump’s America First policy agenda.

The 10-person meeting on solar equipment imports, which included the deputy director of the National Economic Council, the head of policy for the office of Vice President Mike Pence, an assistant secretary from the Department of Commerce, and senior officials from the National Security Council and White House Trade and Manufacturing Director Peter Navarro’s office, was originally scheduled to take place over the phone last Friday. It was moved to the White House once the NSC became involved.