    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [March 17, 2005]
    [Pages 455-456]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing the Nomination of Representative Robert J.
    Portman To Be United States Trade
    Representative
    March 17, 2005

        Good morning. I'm pleased to announce my nomination of Congressman
    Rob Portman to be our next United States Trade Representative. For more
    than a decade, Rob Portman has been a superb Representative of the
    Second District of Ohio. He's earned the trust of his constituents and
    the admiration of his colleagues. He brings a record of achievement to
    this new assignment.
        As a Member of the House leadership, Rob has shown he can bring
    together people of differing views to get things done. He's been a
    tireless advocate for America's manufacturers and entrepreneurs. He's a
    former international trade lawyer who has shown a deep dedication to
    free and fair

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    trade, and now he will bring that commitment to his new role as U.S.
    Trade Representative.
        As an Ohioan, Rob knows firsthand that millions of American jobs
    depend on exports, including one in every five factory jobs. Our country
    is home to about 5 percent of the world's population, and that means 95
    percent of our potential customers are abroad. To keep our economy
    growing and creating jobs, we need to continue opening foreign markets
    to American products. Rob knows that America's farmers and workers can
    compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere in the world, so long as the
    rules are fair.
        Under the outstanding leadership of Ambassador Bob
    Zoellick, the U.S. Trade Representative's
    office helped bring China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization
    and worked with Congress to secure Trade Promotion Authority. Bob and
    his team have completed free trade agreements with 12 nations on 5
    continents, that will open a combined market of 124 million consumers
    for America's farmers, manufacturers, and small-business owners. I
    appreciate his fine service, and I will continue to count on his wisdom
    and good judgment in his new post as Deputy Secretary of State.
        When he is confirmed by the Senate, Rob Portman will build on
    Ambassador Zoellick's achievements. I've
    asked him to take on a bold agenda. We need to continue to open markets
    abroad by pursuing bilateral free trade agreements with partners around
    the world. We need to finish our work to establish a Free Trade Area of
    the Americas, which will become the largest free trade zone in the
    world. We need to complete the Doha round negotiations within the World
    Trade Organization, to reduce global barriers to trade. We must continue
    to vigorously enforce the trade laws on the books so that American
    businesses and workers are competing on a level playing field.
        Rob is the right man to carry out this agenda. I've known him for
    many years. He is a good friend, a decent man, and a skilled negotiator.
    He understands that trade creates jobs, raises living standards, and
    lowers prices for families here at home. Rob also understands that as
    the world trades more freely, it becomes more free and prosperity
    abounds.
        Rob Portman will be a fine leader for the dedicated men and women
    who work in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. I'm grateful
    he's agreed to serve. I'm grateful to his wife, Jane, and their three children, Jed,
    Will, and Sally. I
    urge the Senate to promptly confirm this outstanding nominee as
    America's Trade Representative, and I look forward to welcoming Rob into
    my Cabinet.
        Congratulations.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:36 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Representative Portman. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.