Wilbur Ross, the banker-turned-investor and President-elect Trump’s pick to head Commerce Department, received a relatively warm reception Wednesday during a hearing on his nomination held by the Senate commerce committee, indicating that he will have little trouble being confirmed by the full Senate.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, praised Ross as a man who “would bring decades of business, entrepreneurial and civic experience to this important position” and said that his “know-how and intelligence” made him an “excellent candidate” for commerce secretary.
Democrats had generally friendly inquiries for Ross, partly because many agree with the incoming administration’s skepticism of international trade deals. “Democrats understand a lot of the frustrations on trade that President-elect Trump campaigned on,” said Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said she and Ross had “common cause” on ensuring that “rule breakers” in international trade deals “be punished.” Asked specifically about Chinese currency manipulation, Ross agreed readily with Duckworth that the manipulation was “just another device” that other countries use “to attack our economy.”
The committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., did express concerns that the administration might gag federal scientists speaking on issues related to climate change. Ross responded that he “didn’t think that valuable information should be concealed,” adding that he had “great respect” for the work done by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
