In March 2021, AUS hosted Mike Taylor discussing the role of the US government, or any government, in trade negotiations, trade policy, and facilitation. He talked about how the policies are made, considerations countries take, and many of the processes and steps involved.

Bern is his eighth diplomatic assignment, following overseas tours in Ecuador, Honduras, Timor-Leste, The Bahamas and Chile. He also served two assignments in Washington, DC, working on Mexican and Malaysian affairs, respectively. Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 2000, Mike Taylor worked at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, the Crocker Group business consultancy, and Chase Manhattan Bank. He is an economist by training and holds degrees from George Washington University, Georgetown University, and the University of Virginia. He has received five State Department awards and speaks German, Spanish and Indonesian.