Trump eyes Washington trade lawyer for key China post at US Commerce Department
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If he is selected, Mr Jeffrey Kessler would oversee export controls on US technology.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump is considering Washington trade lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to lead the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) – a key post in the US-China tech war – according to people familiar with the matter.
Mr Kessler, a partner at the law firm of WilmerHale, served as assistant secretary for enforcement and compliance during Trump’s first term, which made him the Commerce department’s top trade enforcement official.
If selected to head BIS, he would oversee export controls on US technology exported to countries like China that pose a risk to national security. Over the past decade, export controls became a potent weapon for the US in the tech battle between the world’s two biggest economies.
Spokespersons for the Trump transition team and Mr Kessler did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mr Alan Estevez has been BIS undersecretary in the Biden administration. A former Pentagon official, he has overseen sweeping restrictions restrictions on China’s telecommunications equipment firm Huawei Technologies
On Jan 13, the department issued a framework to control the flow of US artificial intelligence chips around the world
At WilmerHale, Mr Kessler’s practice has emphasised China, his law firm bio says, noting he has helped US companies and trade associations “especially in innovative IP-intensive industries” navigate Chinese trade and investment barriers.
He also has advised clients on sanctions export controls, the challenges of doing business in the US and China, and compliance with forced labour legislation related to the Uyghurs.
As assistant secretary during the first Trump administration, Mr Kessler oversaw an overhaul of trade enforcement regulations, according to the bio. He also was responsible for enforcing US trade remedy laws, namely anti-dumping and countervailing duty law investigations.
In addition, he monitored foreign compliance with trade agreements, and supported negotiations for a June 2021 tariff ceasefire between the US Trade Representative, the EU and Britain, the bio says.
A graduate of Yale University with a degree in philosophy, Mr Kessler got both his law degree and a master’s in economics from Stanford University. He also holds a master’s in philosophy from the University of Chicago. REUTERS
