The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said trade negotiations will continue even as the agency implements a backup plan to deal with a lapse in funding amid a partial government shutdown.
USTR is carrying out its contingency plan to respond to the lapse of funding appropriated from Congress, the agency said on Monday. “Excepted personnel will ensure USTR continues to conduct operations, including trade negotiations and enforcement,” it said.
USTR’s statement doesn’t provide details on how the partial shutdown—at 24 days, the longest in U.S. history—will affect individual negotiations.