Labour
Concerns Over Kirk Appointmnt
By Sam Youngman, The Hill 18/12/08
Dec 19, 2008 - 10:41:14 AM

President-elect Obama's plan to nominate former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to be his U.S. trade representative is a worry for organized labor.

The news comes shortly after it was learned that Obama plans to nominate Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) to be his secretary of labor, a decision immediately hailed by unions.

A senior Democratic official confirmed the nominations. They could come as soon as Friday.

Kirk is a worry for labor because he does not have a record of criticizing trade deals, according to Thea Lee, a lobbyist for the AFL-CIO.

"We want someone who will take trade in a different direction," said Lee. "He doesn't have much of a record. That's a concern."

Kirk, a former Senate candidate, has spoken out in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and permanent normal trade relations with China. Labor unions believe NAFTA and the China trade legislation have cost the U.S. thousands of jobs.

In contrast, business appears optimistic about Kirk. Bill Lane, a lobbyist for Caterpillar, said Kirk gets the value of trade because he is a border-state mayor.

"As a Texas mayor, he clearly understands the importance of trade," Lane said.

Thursday's announcements amounted to a mixed bag for labor, which was thrilled by the Solis nomination but is worried about Kirk.

It also could be seen as a shift in fortune since Obama had been poised to nominate Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) as his trade representative. Becerra voted against a controversial trade agreement with Central American countries and has said he regretted his vote for the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Becerra pulled out of the running for the trade post this week, telling La Opinion that he decided to stay in Congress because trade was not going to be a high priority for Obama.

Business and labor sources said that by effectively replacing Becerra with Kirk, Obama replaced what was seen as a known commodity with an unknown.

Kirk could have a full plate if he wins confirmation.

The Bush administration has negotiated trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, but the Democratic Congress has raised objections to all three. Obama will inherit the three deals when he takes office.

Kirk would also be faced with a global round of World Trade Organization talks launched two months after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Those negotiations have sputtered, but could take on a new urgency as the world economy weakens.

Source: Ocnus.net 2008