USA TODAY International Edition
Ross says he’ll ‘ level the playing field’ with China
‘ I am pro- sensible trade,’ Commerce nominee tells Senate
Wilbur Ross, the billionaire financier nominated by Donald Trump to be secretary of Commerce, said Wednesday that he would pursue more treaties with individual trading partner nations and vowed to crack down on trade agreement violators, singling out China repeatedly.
“I am pro- trade. But I am prosensible trade, not trade that is detrimental to the American worker and to the domestic manufacturing base,” Ross said before the U. S. Senate’s Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, which will deliberate on his nomination.
Trump’s tough talk on trade — including threats of high tariffs and renegotiating trade deals — has unnerved economists and exporting companies that fear retaliation. But Ross sought to sell the idea that more bilateral agreements, which are “easier and quicker to negotiate” than the ones involving multiple coun- tries, can boost exports. Negotiating with a dozen countries for a trade agreement will result in multiple and unintended concessions, he said. “The more complex the environment in which you negotiate, the less likely you’ll get sensible results,” he said. “You take a lot of nicks.”
China “is the most protection- ist country among very large countries,” Ross told the lawmakers in the committee. “They actually talk more about free trade than they practice. We’d like to level the playing field.”
His hearing, which was scheduled for last week, had been delayed to give Ross more time to complete the ethics and financial disclosure forms that are required.
Several other confirmation hearings are scheduled this week — including one Thursday for Steven Mnuchin, the nominee for Treasury secretary — before Trump is sworn in Friday.
If confirmed, Ross will head the key executive branch agency that enforces American trade policies, generates 40% of publicly available federal government data, manages patents, oversees the nation’s wireless spectrum, operates the Census and monitors the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. But his nomination primarily signals Trump’s oft-
“I think I’ve probably had more direct experience than any prior Cabinet nominee has had with unfair trade.” Wilbur Ross, nominee for Commerce secretary
stated plans to re- examine global trade and bring private- sector experts to produce more jobs and favorable trade terms for U. S. companies. And Ross’ role is expected to be expanded beyond the traditional parameters of Commerce secretary so he can work with other trade officials.
“I’ve made my livelihood for over five decades dealing in international commerce,” Ross said. “I think I’ve probably had more direct experience than any prior Cabinet nominee has had with unfair trade in the steel business, in the textile business, in the auto parts business and other sectors.”