As U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced his resignation today after four years of service in the Administration, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) President and CEO Tom Gibson issued the following statement:

“Ambassador Kirk is a dedicated public servant who helped lead U.S. trade policy at a critical time in the progression of our nation’s trade agenda,” Gibson said. “The steel industry has appreciated his advocacy in the expansion of rules-based trade, which so profoundly affects our businesses, employees and communities. By bringing an unprecedented number of WTO [World Trade Organization] cases, he strongly championed U.S. interests and focused on American jobs.

“We especially congratulate him on his success at the WTO regarding China’s violations of its WTO obligations when it limited exports of certain critical raw materials to protect its own manufacturers,” Gibson continued. “This was a hard-fought and well-deserved victory, and one for which the steel industry will always be grateful.  It was a great honor to work with Ambassador Kirk and we wish him well in his future successes.”