WASHINGTON, June 20 (KUNA) -- President Barack Obama said he was pleased that the US Senate took bipartisan action to confirm Michael Froman as the United States trade representative.
Froman would stay focused on US economic goals, the president said in a statement released by the White House late on Wednesday.
"Mike has been my closest adviser on a broad range of international economic issues and will continue to play a key role on my economic team," Obama added in the statement.
"He is trusted and well-respected by our partners around the world, and for the last several years, he has been a driving force behind our international economic agenda." In his new position, Froman "will stay focused on our primary economic goals - promoting growth, creating jobs and strengthening the middle class," Obama said. "And he will continue to help open new markets for American businesses; level the playing field for American workers, farmers and ranchers; and fully enforce our trade rights." Appointment of Froman, widely known as a leading economic expert close to Obama, coincided with ongoing efforts by Washington to remove snags in its trade with European and Asian-Pacific markets.
Obama has repeatedly affirmed his objective of shoring up the largely stagnant US economy by various means including exploration of new markets and boosting external trade.
The US, hard hit with the economic crisis that broke out in 2008, has shown concern at rising global economic influence by powers such as China and India. (end) rm.rk KUNA 200916 Jun 13NNNN