U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will step down from his position in late February after nearly four years at the helm, Reuters reports.
The report lists Lael Brainard, treasury under secretary for international affairs, Francisco Sanchez, commerce secretary for international affairs, and Fred Hochberg, president of the U.S. Export-Import bank, as potential candidates for the USTR job.
Doug Palmer and Jeff Mason write Mike Froman, the White House’s international economic affairs adviser, had been considered the leading candidate to succeed Kirk.
However, Reuters reports Froman wants to stay in his current position and contribute on issues regarding energy, climate change, trade and international finance.
According to the Washington Post, Kirk plans to take a position in the private sector in Dallas.
Kirk is a former mayor of Dallas, having been elected in 1995 as the city’s first African-American mayor, according to the Post.
