President-elect Trump names billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen billionaire financier Wilbur Ross, known as the king of bankruptcy for his investments in distressed properties, to serve as Commerce Secretary. If confirmed, Ross would become the Trump Administration’s chief liaison with the business community and a leading advocate for US trade abroad.

Ross said he wanted to fix “dumb trade” deals made by the US and would work to improve the quality of US jobs. Like President-elect Trump, Ross has been critical of US trade deals. He sharply criticized trade negotiators and called for the US to withdraw from the yet-to-be-ratified Trans-Pacific Partnership and to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump has pledged to do both upon taking office.