Conservatives hope that President-elect Joe Biden will choose a commerce secretary from the ranks of America’s big business leaders to rebuild relationships that frayed under President Trump.
The post is one of the last remaining slots to be filled in Biden’s Cabinet and one of the last chances for him to signal a bipartisan approach by selecting a Republican.
Meg Whitman, former chief executive of Hewlett Packard and a Republican candidate for California governor in 2010 who endorsed Biden this year, is among the names in the frame.
Pro-business groups and several Republicans believe the right figure will help mend relationships after what they see as Wilbur Ross’ turbulent four years at commerce.
“The selection of the commerce secretary will be the most important signal to the business community,” said a former Commerce Department official under Trump. “Given the sometimes thorny or broken relationship with the Chamber of Commerce and most business sector stakeholders during the Ross tenure, most will be excited to turn a page and find a more traditional champion for American business success at the helm.”
This week, Axios reported that Biden was considering some well-known Republicans for the post in order to reassure red-state voters that he would address their concerns. It is considered the most likely post where a Republican would be acceptable to Democrats, along with the more junior position at the Small Business Administration.
Their responsibilities will include helping oversee trade policy and taking a pivotal role in managing the relationship with China.
And they will be in a prime position to tackle questions of infrastructure and immigration, issues that at times pitted natural Republican allies in business groups against Trump’s America First agenda, and on which Biden has promised a change of direction.
Other figures in the running are believed to include Mellody Hobson, co-chief executive of asset management firm Ariel Investments and wife of movie director George Lucas.
Alfredo Ortiz, president and chief executive of the free market Job Creators Network, said he was disappointed commerce had not been an early pick given the way COVID-19 had devastated millions of small businesses.
But after four years of a banker in charge, he said a Whitman type would be perfectly placed to get on with the job.
“I know Wilbur. I think he did a great job. A true patriot,” he said. “But I would agree, the banking world versus the business world are obviously so, so very different, especially when it comes to commerce. China is a true global competitor that doesn’t necessarily like operating on the same rules as others.
“I think we need to have somebody who understands that.”
Nick Stehle, vice president of communications at the free market Foundation for Government Accountability, said the choice would signal whether Biden values workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
“If Biden truly wants to help small business, he can start by coming out against mandated lockdowns and unemployment compensation bonuses, both of which restrict businesses’ ability to operate and leave countless Americans without work and dependent on government,” he said.
Trump’s approach caused a well-documented rift with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which supported his 2017 tax overhaul but criticized his immigration and trade policies.
Republican insiders see a rift that Biden could exploit politically, winning over business leaders.
A spokesperson for the chamber said the Cabinet picks so far were respected and pragmatic leaders.
“While we may not agree on every issue, we stand ready to work with anyone who is committed to finding ways to mitigate differences, advance policies that will revitalize our economy, act quickly to combat the pandemic, and put Americans back to work safely and sustainably,” the spokesperson said.
