Francisco J. Sánchez Sworn In as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade

Francisco J. Sánchez was sworn in today as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade after receiving a recess appointment from President Obama. U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Dennis Hightower administered the oath of office to Sánchez who will direct the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA).

“I’m pleased to have Francisco leading the International Trade Administration,” said Hightower. “As head of the International Trade Administration, Francisco will be on the front line as the Commerce Department spearheads the implementation of the President’s National Export Initiative, and works to expand exports of American-made goods and services, creating new jobs.”

As Under Secretary, Sánchez leads an organization that supports efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures compliance with trade laws and agreements. ITA’s mission to help create jobs through trade has been enhanced by President Obama’s National Export Initiative.

“I am honored and humbled by the confidence that President Obama and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke have in my ability to lead this great organization,” Sánchez said. “More trade creates more new jobs, and more exports create new demand for workers. The thrust of the National Export Initiative is to create jobs. With millions of Americans unemployed and looking for work, helping find the new jobs of the future is the International Trade Administration’s top priority.”

Sánchez’s major priorities for ITA include targeting opportunities for American business expansion in emerging international markets; increasing the export capacities of all U.S. businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises; capitalizing on U.S. advances in emerging technologies; and vigorously enforcing trade laws that will allow U.S. businesses to compete fairly in global markets.

Sánchez most recently served as a senior advisor to Secretary Locke on international trade issues. As a senior policy advisor to President Obama during the 2008 campaign, Sánchez served as the chairman of the National Hispanic Leadership Council and also provided policy support on issues pertaining to Latin America. Sánchez now brings his wide range of experience in both the federal and state government, as well as the private-sector, to his leadership position at ITA.

A Florida native, Sánchez obtained his B.A. and J.D. from Florida State University. He also received a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Sánchez has published articles and taught negotiation and conflict resolution at Harvard Law School’s Program of Instruction for Lawyers, as well as other institutions.