Friday, March 18 2005 10:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: President George W Bush on Thursday (Mar 17, 2005) announced the nomination of Congressman Rob Portman to be the next United States Trade Representative to replace Bob Zoellick who has moved over to the State Department as Deputy Secretary of State.

Bush said as a member of the House leadership, Portman 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 trade. And now he will bring that commitment to his new role as US Trade Representative."

As an Ohioan, said Bush, Portman knows firsthand that millions of American jobs depend on exports, including one in every five factory jobs. The US, he noted, is home to about 5 per cent of the worlds population, and that means 95 per cent of its potential customers are abroad.

"To keep our economy growing and creating jobs, we need to continue opening foreign markets to American products. And Rob knows that America's farmers and workers can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere in the world, so long as the rules are fair."

Responding, Portman said that open markets and better trade relations are key components to a more peaceful, a more stable and a more prosperous world.

Through expanded trade, the roots of democracy and freedom are deepened, he said.

"And here at home, trade policy opens markets to create jobs, a higher standard of living and greater economic growth," he added.