The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously to confirm veteran government trade lawyer Katherine Tai as the first woman of color to serve as U.S. trade representative (USTR).

The vote was unanimous: 98-0.

Tai, 47, a veteran international trade expert and former lawyer for the House Ways and Means Committee, told lawmakers that her first priority will be to help American communities emerge from the pandemic and economic crisis after her nomination was approved by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

"USTR has an important role to play in that effort. Working with Congress, the entire Biden-Harris administration, and other countries and trusted partners, USTR will help to build out strong supply chains that will get our economy back on track," Tai said.

Media reports say that the confirmation vote will give her a key role to smooth supply chains shaken by the pandemic, implement a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada and address a multitude of challenges with China.

Congratulations and requests from industry also rolled in after the vote, including pleas for relief from tariffs imposed in trade fights that erupted during former President Donald Trump's administration, Reuters reported.