RILA gets real about U.S. trade policies with new strategic appointment

As the U.S. seeks to negotiate several international trade agreements in the new year, our crucial policy makers are keenly aware of the impact these agreements make on logistics managers in the retail market.

It’s refreshing to note, then, that the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has announce the appointment of Blake Harden as its new vice president of international trade. 

Harden brings extensive trade experience to the role. She joins RILA after serving three years at the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Trade where she worked as trade counsel to ranking member Kevin Brady (R-Texas). 

Prior to her work at Ways and Means, she was a senior attorney at the Office of Chief Counsel, Trade and Finance Section of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  

At RILA, Harden will lead the association’s international trade public policy efforts, which are a top priority for leading retailers. 

Harden will drive RILA’s strategic trade policy agenda and coalition activities aimed to combat the negative impact tariffs have had on the industry and will serve as the leading expert for several of RILA’s communities engaged on trade issues. 

“Leading retailers will be well served by having Blake Harden at the helm of RILA’s trade policy work,” said Austen Jensen, senior vice president of government affairs at RILA. “Blake’s background, expertise, and tenacity make her a forceful advocate for our members on such an important issue.”