U.S. Trade Rep Kirk to step down

WASHINGTON (Jan. 23, 2013) — Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative (USTR) during President Barack Obama's first term, plans to leave office in late February, according to an announcement from the agency.

In 2009, shortly after Mr. Kirk assumed the Trade Representative's post, USTR granted the United Steelworkers (USW) union's petition for trade relief against Chinese passenger and light truck tire imports under Section 421 of the Trade Act. Signed into law by President Obama in September 2009, the tariffs amounted to a total of 39 percent the first year, 34 percent the second and 29 percent the third. The tariffs reverted to their traditional level of 4 percent in September 2012.

Under Mr. Kirk, USTR also completed and implemented trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea; launched the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations; and renewed the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.

A native of Texas, Mr. Kirk was mayor of Dallas and Texas Secretary of State before becoming Trade Representative. As a partner in the law firm of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P, he was named one of "The 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by The National Law Journal in 2008.