Kenya Holds Answers: Why I Missed Meeting Kuria, Reveals US Trade Chief
The Kenyan government knows why US Trade Representative Katherine Tai ignored Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria during her visit to Kenya, according to Tai.
The delegate, speaking to a delegation shortly after meeting with President William Ruto on Wednesday, July 19, declined to publicly divulge the reason for her decision to avoid the vocal CS, instead sending journalists to the Kenyan government.
“My visit here is primarily about advancing, deepening, and broadening the economic relationship between the United States and Kenya, as well as the United States’ trade relationship with East Africa.”
“I did not meet with CS Kuria, and in terms of why I did not meet with him, I’d have to refer you to the Kenyan government,” she said.
A few hours earlier, Tai met with Ruto at State House, where the Trade Secretary was notably absent.
The Head of State stated that the two countries were close trading partners with impending chances to create jobs.
“America is our most important trading and investment partner.” Kenya has developed its value chains, expanded and diversified its exports, and created thousands of job opportunities as a result of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act,” Ruto noted.
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According to an earlier media story, the official rejected to meet with the CS on two occasions.
According to sources, Tai was not comfortable meeting with the former Gatundu South MP due to his ‘foul’ language.
She arrived in the country on Monday, July 17, for a meeting with the Investment Framework Agreement Council and the US-East Africa Community Trade.
Kuria’s predecessor, Betty Maina, had a close relationship with Tai and was instrumental in establishing the US-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership.
At the time, the two signed ten agreements covering agriculture, anti-corruption, digital trade, environmental and climate change action, good regulatory practices, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), workers’ rights and protections, supporting women, youth, and others in trade, standards collaboration, and trade facilitation and customs procedures.
“The US-Kenya relationship is critical to addressing key regional and global challenges, and this initiative represents a chance to collaborate on shared priorities such as labor, environment, digital trade, trade facilitation, and good regulatory practices.”
“I am looking forward to working with the Kenyan government over the next few months to build out this partnership and grow our trade and investment relationship in a way that promotes resilience and facilitates sustainable and inclusive economic growth that benefits our workers and our planet,” Tai said at the time.
Kenya Holds Answers: Why I Missed Meeting Kuria, Reveals US Trade Chief
