US Trade Representative Peter F.Allgeier has been named acting US Trade Representative, for the
time being at least, replacing Robert B. Zoellick, who has moved to the State Department.
At the same time, it was announced that David Spooner, who has been the US textile negotiator,
has been named acting chief of staff.
Allgeier recently made an appeal to the 148 members of the World Trade Organization to move
forward with the Doha round of trade liberalization negotiations with a goal of completing them by
the end of 2006. He said there is widespread readiness to accept the challenge of completing the
negotiations.
In another move of interest to the textile industry, Grant Aldonas, who has been undersecretary
of commerce, is leaving the government to enter private business. Aldonas had a good understanding
of textile issues and at times, although not always, was an effective advocate for the domestic
industry.
February 2005
