USTR announces China office, DOC nominates secretary of manufacturing.

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert B. Zoellick announced that USTR will create a separate and expanded Office of China Affairs to accommodate an increase in staff dedicated to China trade issues. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, Congress, through the leadership of House Appropriations Committee Chairman Frank Wolf (R-Va.) and Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), provided additional funds to USTR for this purpose.

The new office will be responsible for trade with the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Mongolia. Charles Freeman will lead the office as Acting Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR) for China Affairs. Since April 2002, Freeman has handled the China portfolio as a Deputy AUSTR within the North Asia office.

This comes on the heels of the announcement by U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans of the Bush Administration's intention to nominate Al Frink for the position of assistant secretary of manufacturing and services. Once nominated and confirmed, Frink will serve as the Bush Administration's point person on manufacturing and will focus on ways to help the sector grow, create jobs and compete in the global economy.

As the assistant secretary, Frink will advocate, coordinate and implement policies that will help U.S. manufacturers compete globally. Some of the challenges he will focus on include:

* enhancing government's focus on manufacturing competitiveness;

* creating the conditions for economic growth and manufacturing investment;

* promoting open markets and a level playing field;

* lowering the cost of manufacturing in the U.S.;

* investing in innovation;

* strengthening education, retraining and economic diversification.