News Releases

Peter Mandelson

No. 43/05
April 29, 2005

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson Warmly Welcomes Confirmation of Next United States Trade Representative Rob Portman
 

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson today welcomed the confirmation by the US Senate of new United States Trade Representative Rob Portman. Portman will replace Bob Zoellick as the US’s chief trade negotiator and Commissioner Mandelson’s American counterpart.

Commissioner Mandelson said: “I warmly congratulate Rob Portman on his confirmation as USTR and I am pleased he will be on board. We have a huge amount to work on together, most importantly in showing joint leadership to bring the Doha Development Round to a successful conclusion. By becoming an international trade negotiator Rob will join one of the world’s more esoteric groups, of which I myself am still a relatively junior member. However, the privilege of working for jobs and growth is a great one.“

Mandelson and Portman are expected to hold meetings during the OECD Meeting and WTO Mini-Ministerial in Paris on May 2 - 4.