There was a specific discussion around the COVID-19 wave currently underway in India during Ms Tai’s meetingsUnited States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai met with the heads of vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca on Tuesday and discussed the role of developing countries in addressing global gaps in vaccine production and distribution. Ms Tai committed to working with WTO members on global response to the pandemic including the role of developing countries in addressing gaps in the production and distribution of vaccines, the USTR office said. There was a specific discussion around the COVID-19 wave currently underway in India during Ms Tai’s meetings (which appeared to be separate) with Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, and AstraZeneca US Head Ruud Dobber. The White House announce on Monday that it would make some 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine available to other countries over the next few months. Monday’s USTR statements however suggest conversations are underway and a U.S. position on the initiative at the WTO is evolving.

Source: The Hindu April 27, 2021 14:52 UTC