President Biden has withdrawn the nomination of lobbyist Nelson Cunningham to be Deputy US Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, Labor and Environment, in response to key Democrats’ opposition to the choice.
The opposition is based on Mr. Cunningham’s background in business and lobbying.
In lieu of the USTR post, Mr. Cunningham will be joining the State Department as a Senior Advisor to Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose Fernandez.
In that post, Mr. Cunningham will focus on a range of special projects, such as "encouraging greater private sector participation in overseas critical minerals projects, forging common ground among stakeholders on how best to tackle plastics pollution and developing a coherent framework for engaging with India on economic, energy and environmental cooperation," according to State.
Mr. Cunningham is a longtime board member of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, American Chamber of Commerce India and earlier the US-India Business Council. He is also the co-founder and former president of McLarty Associates, advising clients on economic and policy issues around the globe since 1998.
He worked in the Clinton Administration on Latin American and trade issues and was General Counsel to then Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Joe Biden.
When the administration floated Cunningham for the USTR post, few jumped on his bandwagon. Sen. Ron Wyden expressed the feelings of many, asying at the time:
“At a time when our country is beset with trade challenges from China and other competitors for jobs and influence in the global economy, the United States needs trade professionals with hands-on trade experience.
“Experience representing the interests of multinationals is not the same as considering the views of workers in Toledo and small business owners in Medford."
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