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President Barack Obama on Thursday nominated Michael Froman, a top economic adviser, as the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to help promote his ambitious trade agenda in the second term.
The Obama administration has put forward a plan to complete negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by the end of this year and wrap up a U.S.-EU free trade agreement in two years, thus cementing the president's legacy in international trade.
If confirmed by the Senate, Froman would succeed Ron Kirk, Obama's main international trade negotiator in the past four years who left the cabinet in March.
Froman currently serves as Obama's deputy national security adviser for international economics. He is responsible for coordinating policy on international trade, investment, energy, climate and development issues.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (R) and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands at the National Palace, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on May 2, 2013. (Xinhua/David de la Paz)
In the past four years, Froman has "been a key negotiator, alongside Ron Kirk, on those trade agreements for South Korea, Colombia and Panama, which support tens of thousands of American jobs," and has "won the respect of our trading partners around the world," Obama said during a nomination ceremony at the White House.
"He's also won a reputation as being an extraordinarily tough negotiator. While doing it, he does not rest until he's delivered the best possible deal for American businesses and American workers," the president added.
Froman previously worked in the Department of the Treasury during the Clinton administration and served in a number of roles at Citigroup before joining the Obama administration as a top economic adviser.
As the new USTR, Froman would have to work with lawmakers to restore a procedure called TPA, which is seen as key to getting trade agreements with Asia and the European Union (EU) finalized and approved by the U.S. Congress.
Under TPA, also known as "fast-track" authority, the Obama administration can negotiate trade agreements that only can be approved or rejected by Congress, but not amended. Without TPA, the White House may be forced to go back to the negotiating table for amendments.
The last TPA law was passed in 2002 and expired in 2007. Up to now, the Obama administration hasn't pushed for its renewal.
