President Biden nominates Cunningham for Deputy U.S. Trade Representative

On January 11, 2024, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Nelson Cunningham as Deputy United States Trade Representative. United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai welcomed the nomination, remarking that, “Nelson Cunningham knows that trade policy operates at the intersection of domestic economic and foreign policy…I look forward to working with him as USTR continues to advance an inclusive, worker-centered trade agenda that benefits all Americans.”

Since his nomination, government leaders and stakeholders alike have praised Cunningham’s wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.

Senator Mark Warner (VA): “I applaud President Biden’s nomination of Nelson Cunningham to serve as Deputy United States Trade Representative. With a distinguished career in the public and private sectors, Mr. Cunningham brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. His deep understanding of foreign policy and international trade issues makes him an excellent choice to serve as Deputy USTR. I am confident that Mr. Cunningham’s experience and acumen will allow him to effectively advance strategic U.S. trade policy goals on the world stage.”

Senator Tim Kaine (VA): “Nelson Cunningham’s nomination to be Deputy U.S. Trade Representative is good news for Virginia workers, businesses, our international gateways like Dulles Airport and the Port of Virginia, and our economy as a whole. Cunningham’s experience has prepared him well to advance America’s economic interests abroad, enhance economic relations with America’s allies, and address emerging global challenges facing American workers and businesses. As the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Western Hemisphere, I also appreciate his deep understanding of smart economic policies toward our partners in Latin America. I look forward to working together to strengthen our economic ties throughout the region, which will be key to addressing the root causes of migration and other shared challenges.”

Senator Chris Coons (DE): “Glad to see @POTUS nominate Nelson Cunningham to be Deputy US Trade Representative and I hope the Senate confirms him swiftly. I’m confident he will help to continue advancing American trade priorities and enabling American businesses to export around the world.”

American Apparel and Footwear: “We look forward to working with Nelson and the USTR team to focus on policies that we need in 2024 and beyond…Nelson’s experience with Latin America, and of course with the White House and Capitol Hill, promise strong private-public discourse to move strategic priorities forward. As America’s supply chains strive to improve resilience, we look forward to smart and effective trade policies that benefit American businesses, workers, and consumers. We urge the Senate to speedily consider and confirm his nomination."