I'm not sure yet what to make of the change at the US Trade Rep's office, with Rob Portman moving to OMB and a deputy, Susan Schwab, being nominated to replace him. I consider the USTR post to be one of the most critical -- and overlooked -- posts in government. Bob Zoellick grew into the job and was fantastic. Portman, while not the detail freak Zoellick was, correctly was perceived as being close to the White House and brought leverage to international negotiations.

The timing couldn't be worse, with the Doha Round falling apart. Tech Law Journal quotes Peter Mandelson, the EU's equivalent, as saying of Portman's departure that "We will of course manage without him, but at this stage in the Round, it would have been easier to manage with him." (See Mandelson's release.) My time spent in Argentina and Brazil further confirmed my fervent commitment to free trade, enough so that I wrote about a free trade pioneer for TCS Daily, albeit on what is happening in France.

I'm eager to know more about Schwab. The WSJ story said she brings a background in IP enforcement, and that is good. But the WSJ editorial noted she has a history of protectionism, and that is not good. At least she has a long career in trade and with the USTR, so there won't be a learning curve involved. I wish her and her team the best of luck.

Not much to learn from the transcript of the White House announcement. One sad but not surprising note -- at a press conference on trade, none of the reporters asked Bush about trade.

posted by Patrick Ross @ 3:36 PM | International

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