Senate approves Kirk for USTR

Senate approves Kirk for USTR Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday to be the next U.S. Trade Representative. The vote was 95-2.
   He will be busy the next few years trying to balance the desire for open markets for U.S. goods while protecting U.S. jobs and raising complaints against countries that violate trade agreements. Already this week Mexico has retaliated against a U.S. move to shut the border to long-haul Mexican trucks by announcing higher tariffs on about 90 U.S. exports.
   Kirk will also have to help shepherd the Doha round of multilateral trade talks to conclusion.
   The American Apparel & Footwear Association applauded Kirk's confirmation, saying the primary challenge 'is to combat any domestic and international shifts toward isolationism that may close off markets.'