Latino Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) appears to be a leading candidate to become President-elect Barack Obama‘s chief trade negotiator.
If selected, Congressman Becerra would be the first Hispanic to become U.S. Trade Representative. Currently, Congressman Becerra is the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congress, serving as Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
As USTR, Becerra would negotiate directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, resolve disputes and participate in global trade policy organizations such as the WTO (World Trade Organization). He would also meet with governments, business groups, legislators and public interest groups to gather input on trade issues and explain the president’s trade policy positions.
Congressman Becerra’s spokeswoman Fabiola Rodriguez said yesterday, “Congressman Becerra is very much looking forward to serving as the Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the 111th Congress, and we have no other announcements at this time.”
In the meantime, the prospect of Becerra leaving Congress to become U.S. Trade Representative has reopened the fight for the position of Vice Chairman. According to top Congressional aides, Democrats such as Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FLA) and Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) have already begun to make early moves for the position.
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