Obama to Select Ron Kirk as Cabinet-level Trade Negotiator

President Elect Barack Obama grew up as the son of an immigrant in Chicago. He knows the so-called second cities of the United States have plenty of immigrants, ethnic businesses and international trade.

Perhaps this is the reason he chose Kirk as the next United States Trade Representative. Cynics would say it's just nepotism. Kirk is a fellow African-American politician known for attracting voters across party and racial lines, and he is also a longtime friend, major fund-raiser and supporter. Ron Kirk, who had received political backing form both Clintons, generated minor buzz in early 2008 for stumping for Obama and saying the country has "Bush/Clinton fatigue." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/28/politics/politicalplayers/main3890515.shtml

However, there may be more at work than simple nepotism. Obama trusts Kirk as an experienced lawyer, politician and free-trade advocate from an important, diverse city. Rather than viewing the appointment as a throwaway kickback for a loyal donor, as one might view the ambassadorship to Tahiti, it might be seen as a shift in Democratic trade politics.

President Clinton was vilified by the left wing of the Democratic Party for his free-trade deals. There is still a protectionist faction in the party, which tends to blame free trade for many of the current U.S. economic woes.

California Democrat Xavier Becerra seemingly thought Obama was in this protectionist camp. Becerra had fought alongside labor unions against the Central American Free Trade Agreement, and he was likely to work for fair trade deals that protect workers on both sides of the agreement. However, he said in a newspaper interview that he worries trade is unimportant to Obama.

"My concern is how much weight this position would have had, and I reached the conclusion that it would not be a top priority, or even second or third priority," Becerra said.

But Obama has to make it a priority. Trade and globalization are facts of life today, and the U.S. can no longer afford to even consider cutting itself off from the rest of the world. India, China, Brazil and other fast-growing economies are likely to leapfrog the United States in the next generation of growth and development. Only through trade agreements can we hope to remain an economic power and, equally important, help ensure that global development reflects our values by respecting workers and the environment.

Assuming Obama realizes this fact, he is making a vital choice in appointing a trade representative. Several factors in Kirk's background make him a good choice. Likewise, Dallas is an international city that provides valuable experience and examples for Kirk in his international trade deals.

• Kirk is currently an attorney for a Dallas law firm. This legal experience will serve him well as trade representative, where he must litigate cases at the World Trade Organization.

• Kirk lobbied heavily for the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has had mixed results, but is not a supporter of unconditional free trade. He opposes fast-track presidential trade authority, which would limit Congress' ability to amend trade agreements.

• Dallas has recovered from the end of the oil boom and become a hub for telecommunications and other vital high-tech industry.

• Dallas is a cosmopolitan city with large immigrant populations from all over the world. Hispanics make up the largest minority group, but a surprising number of sizable ethnic groups reside in Dallas. For example, the city has its own Armenian church and community center, with a well-attended annual festival. And English-speaking white folks can feel pretty outnumbered during a weekend lunch at one of the city's many large, authentic Dim Sum Chinese restaurants. These traits are not unique to Dallas. They are reflected in most large U.S. cities. Kirk can bring these relationships and experiences to the world, showing that the U.S. is not as insular or homogeneous as some people around the world may believe. It's important for the world to know that it's not just New York, Los Angeles and Chicago that care about trade.