Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 13 • Number 30 • 9th September 2009

US Appoints New Ambassador to WTO

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Michael Punke, a Clinton-era trade official, will be the US’ new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, US President Barack Obama announced last week. Pending his approval by the Senate, Punke’s new position will make him Washington’s highest-ranking trade representative at WTO headquarters in Geneva.

US Trade Representative Ron Kirk cheered the announcement. “Michael Punke is uniquely suited to lead USTR’s team at the WTO, particularly at this critical time in the Doha Development Round of trade negotiations,” said Kirk. “His breadth of experience and considerable leadership skills will ensure that the American people have their interests well represented in Geneva as we seek a balanced and ambitious conclusion to the Doha round that will provide new economic opportunities for all.”

Punke has worked in international trade law and policy for 20 years, having served as Senior Policy Advisor to the USTR and Director of International Economic Affairs at the White House during the Clinton administration. He was also International Trade Counsel to Democratic Senator Max Baucus, who at the time chaired the Senate Finance Committee’s International Trade Subcommittee. More recently, he has consulted on international trade in both the public and private sectors, while working as an adjunct professor of the University of Montana and writing novels.

Punke’s nomination follows the departure of Ambassador Peter Allgeier after four years as WTO Ambassador and almost three decades of service in the USTR’s office. Allgeier joined C&M International, Ltd, an international trade and investment firm, as their president on 8 September. “Peter brings unrivalled experience and skill on every trade topic and in every geographic region. In the current global economic climate, his vast experience will help clients navigate the international trade arena with insight and authority,” said Chairman and CEO of C&M International, Doral Cooper.

In replacing Allgeier, Punke will be taking on a key role in the WTO’s Doha Round of trade talks, which have encountered a number of setbacks in the eight years since their launch in the Qatari capital. The US was a key player in the most recent major setback - the collapse of high-level talks in Geneva in July 2008 - and many countries insist that a renewed commitment from Washington is vital to the future of the talks. A number of world leaders and trade ministers have called for a conclusion of the round in 2010, but some observers doubt whether such a goal is feasible.

ICTSD reporting; “Obama picks Punke to be U.S. ambassador to WTO,” REUTERS, 3 September 2009; “U.S. Ambassador to World Trade Organization Peter Allgeier Joins C&M International,” US NEWSWIRE, 17 August 2009; “US Ambassador to WTO Allgeier to leave government,” REUTERS, 14 August 2009.