The Next U.S. Trade Representative

by Zarah Patriana

Published March 12, 2009 @ 10:58AM PT

Today, the Senate Finance Committee is set to vote on President Obama's nomination of former Dallas Mayor, Ron Kirk for the post of U.S. trade representative. The folks over at Public Trade Citizen's Global Trade Watch liveblogged Ron Kirk's hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Monday. From the looks of it, Ron Kirk is expected to win the approval of Senate as the next USTR, but what's his story and what is he bringing to the table?

A main point about about Ron Kirk that leaves fair trade policy advocates a bit skeptical is his past support for NAFTA and China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR). It is also said that he is supported by the business community for being an advocate of expanded trade. On the other hand, during his race for a Senate seat in 2002, he was a vocal opponent to Fast Track, which gives the executive branch the authority to negotiate foreign trade agreements without first consulting Congress. President Obama has talked about getting rid of Fast Track to institute a policy that gives Congress more say in trade decisions to ensure that the decisions made have the public's interest in mind.

With all that said, as the next U.S. Trade Representative, Ron Kirk is going to have to adopt the mandate of 'change' that President Obama and his administration have extolled. Kirk has already hinted of his willingness for change in a 2008 CNN interview when he stated,

We're never going to have a more responsible trade policy if we don't change the climate in Washington.

During the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Monday, he also proclaimed that he was going to put more emphasis on labor and environmental issues in trade agreements. So, maybe he should push President Obama to re-negotiate NAFTA instead of postponing those talks. Many Americans and many of those in Congress want to see reform of our current free-trade and globalization model because it is clearly not working for American workers and is leaving others in the world to struggle for survival. Lori Wallach at Public Citizen outlines the future role of Ron Kirk really well and what to expect from our next USTR. Do give it a read.

Whether Ron Kirk is a good choice for trade representative will be determined by his ability to deliver on President Obama's pledges to the American public to create a new trade and globalization policy that benefits more Americans.

Whatever Kirk's past views on various trade policies, his future course of action must reflect the powerful expectations for change created by Obama's trade reform pledges. His actions must also reflect the new political realities created by congressional elections that resulted in 71 House and Senate supporters of the trade status quo being replaced by those who were elected campaigning for a new approach.

[photo: www.blackenterprise.com]