Senate Confirms Ross to Be Commerce Secretary
The Senate confirmed Wilbur Ross on Feb. 27 to serve as commerce secretary, as several Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in casting affirmative votes. Several Republicans, including Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D. (here), released statements supporting Ross. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said in a statement that Ross understands the importance of a strong domestic steel industry. “Mr. Ross will play a key role in the overhaul of U.S. trade policy President Trump has promised and I will press him and the Administration to strengthen enforcement against those who cheat our trade laws.” During his Senate Commerce confirmation hearing, Ross stated his intent to explore renewal of Commerce Department self-initiated antidumping and countervailing duty cases (see 1701180053).
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The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) also applauded Ross' confirmation (here). "We appreciate that Secretary Ross has said that he favors ‘sensible trade,’ and that being anti-trade ‘is a disadvantage of the American worker and the American manufacturing community,'" AAPA CEO Kurt Nagle said in a statement. "AAPA favors reciprocal international trade liberalization on a fair and equitable basis.”
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of Brown’s statement.