[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.