By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – U.S., British and Canadian officials will meet Monday in Baltimore to discuss strengthening trade ties. This comes as America and its allies increase pressure on Russia for its failure to condemn the wars in Ukraine/China.

According to senior U.S. officials, the talks include visits to Baltimore’s port and talks with industry workers. It is a wide-ranging effort to assess the 153 billion dollar bilateral trade relationship. However, specific issues must be addressed separately.

According to a senior U.S. trade official, “The goal of this dialog is to collaborate to make our trade more smarter and help our workers compete in a really hard global economy.”

According to the official, both sides “are making progress” in their separate negotiations on how to resolve a dispute regarding U.S. aluminum and steel tariffs. However, other agencies lead these efforts.

A second official confirmed that Washington is still concerned by UK food safety standards, which prevent the import of U.S.-chlorinated chicken. However, Washington will deal with that matter separately.

According to U.S. officials, the meetings this week do not represent a resumption or reexamination of formal discussions about free trade agreements that were suspended under President Joe Biden’s administration.

According to a third trade official, such agreements “are only one tool that we have and… it is up to us to really think outside of the box when dealing with trade policy.” That’s why this dialogue will be helpful to us unravel.”

Officials confirmed that they will be meeting again in Britain this spring. However, the exact location is still unknown.

Official said that close cooperation on sanctions economic, export control and trade measures against Russia has brought Europe closer to the United States, as well as highlighted the threat posed from non-market countries like China.

“The same challenges we face… as the Europeans.” So I believe that we are at an “inflection point” in many aspects.

According to officials, the U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai’s top priorities include the promotion of racial equity and gender equality, as well as collaboration in expanding labor rights.

Marjorie Chorlins is the senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and will participate in the meeting.

“We should’ve been able resume the U.S. – UK negotiations. Five rounds had passed and there was a lot of good work. It should have been easy with one our closest friends.