Catherine Novelli

As the point person for the $1 trillion economic relationship between the United States and Europe, Ms. Novelli led efforts to ensure access to the European market for U.S. manufactured and agricultural products. She oversaw the establishment of a dialogue between US and European regulators that has produced path-breaking agreements in such areas as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and marine safety. She played a key role for the United States on the EU REACH directive that would impact over $1 billion in US manufactured products traded with Europe. She also managed high-profile disputes with Europe over aircraft, tax, and copyright. Ms. Novelli has played a critical role for the United States in Central Europe, Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia. She negotiated most of the trade and investment agreements that underpin our economic relationship in the region. She also secured agreements that allow U.S. goods to compete in Central Europe, as these countries move closer to enlargement with the European Union. Previously, Ms. Novelli was the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia where she played a key role in the formation of U.S. trade policy for Russia and Central Europe. She led negotiations with Russia that helped save the $1 billion U.S. poultry export, and regulate the market for Commercial Space Launches. She joined USTR in 1991 after serving in the Office of General Counsel at the Department of Commerce.