Organizations Plead for Quick Approval
USTR officials are still waiting to be confirmed.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jan 22, 2010
An ad hoc coalition of food and agricultural organizations has urged quick Senate confirmation of nominees for two key positions with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In a letter signed by 42 organizations and delivered to each U.S. Senator, the coalition asked that the Senate vote to approve Michael Punke as deputy U.S. trade representative based in Geneva, Switzerland, and Dr. Isi Siddiqui as chief agricultural negotiator for USTR.
In their letter, the coalition stated that the U.S. needs strong leadership in these key positions, and these gentlemen are eminently qualified to provide it. The Senate Finance Committee already has approved both nominees.
Punke has served as international trade counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, followed by four years dealing with international affairs in the Clinton administration, including two years as senior policy adviser for then-USTR Ambassador Mickey Kantor.
Siddiqui served in the Clinton administration, working in USDA as deputy undersecretary and as undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs and as senior trade adviser to then-Secretary Dan Glickman. He also has worked with USTR.
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