Obama Cabinet and Key White House Staff
Ronald Kirk - U.S. Trade Representative
(Cabinet-rank member of National Economic Council)
Partner, Gardere & Wynne, L.L.P. law firm, Dallas
Former Mayor, Dallas
Nominated: December 19, 2008
Obama’s comments:
As Mayor of Dallas, Ron helped steer one of the world’s largest economies. He has seen the promise of trade, but also its pitfalls. And he knows there is nothing inconsistent about standing up for free trade and standing up for American workers. During his tenure as Mayor, Ron brought different groups together to create jobs, invest in the community, and spur economic growth. As a leader, negotiator, and principled proponent of trade, Ron will help make sure that any agreements I sign as President protect the rights of all workers, promote the interests of all Americans, and preserve the planet we all share.
Others’ comments:
“The choice of Ron Kirk as the nation’s top trade negotiator disappointed Barack Obama’s union supporters and left trade experts wondering Thursday how hard the president-elect will push against business interests in future deals.
“Mr. Kirk, the former Dallas mayor and 2002 Senate nominee, is a pro-business Democrat who has been an outspoken booster of NAFTA and the benefits of free trade. But little is known about his views on forcing trading partners to abide by tougher labor and environmental standards, as Mr. Obama promised voters in Ohio and other Rust Belt states.
“And it’s unclear if putting a free-trade advocate in the Cabinet as U.S. trade representative…means Mr. Obama is backing away from that vow. NAFTA has largely been beneficial for Texas, as trade with Mexico has fueled job growth.
“‘Not our first choice,’ Thea Lee, policy director at the AFL-CIO, said of Mr. Kirk, noting that he has also dismayed unions by calling for normalized trade relations with China. ‘We have some concerns.’
“Former trade representatives from both parties lauded the selection, though, and they and other experts offered mixed views on whether Mr. Obama will or should try to reopen NAFTA.
“‘It needs updating and polishing. It’s 18 years old,’ said Mickey Kantor, the trade representative who finalized the three-way pact under President Bill Clinton.
“He called Mr. Kirk ‘an incredibly impressive guy’ whose background and political skills will be vital as the Obama team balances business and labor interests and tries to woo lawmakers.
“‘You’ve got to understand both substance and politics to be successful, and he certainly understands trade, being from Texas,’ he said.”
—Dallas Morning News
Approved: March 18, 2009
(Potential) Appointment Impact:
“The selection of Mr. Kirk disappointed some who were looking for a shakeup in trade policy.
“Mr. Obama will ‘go through a dance to make it look like he's scrutinizing trade agreements ... but there won’t be any change,’ said University of Maryland business professor Peter Morici.”
—Dallas Morning News
“Senator Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who heads the Finance Committee...ticked off the problems Mr. Kirk will face: ‘Our economy is in recession. Our consensus to advance international trade is frayed. And our faith in the international trading system is badly shaken.’
“Opening new international markets through trade negotiations ‘is essential to American workers, firms, farmers and ranchers who struggle in today’s economy,’ Mr. Baucus said, urging Mr. Kirk to use his post ‘to help establish the kind of world that Americans want to live in.’”
—The New York Times
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