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A Torrington native has been nominated by President Barack Obama as the new U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization. Michael Punke still must be confirmed by the full U-S Senate.
The 44-year old Punke, who lives in Missoula, says the nomination is an honor and that he'll work hard to win Senate confirmation. His parents still live in Torrington.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold confirmation hearings on the nomination, but no date has been set. If the committee recommends his nomination, a full vote in the Senate would then be scheduled.
Punke worked in international trade law and policy for two decades, including a two-year stint in the White House under former President Bill Clinton.
From 1993 to 1995, Punke served as Director for International Economic Affairs, with a joint appointment to the National Security Council and the National Economic Council...then from 1995-96, he was a Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
He's currently an adjunct professor at the University of Montana as well as a screenwriter, novelist, and history author. While the combination may sound strange to many, Punke says he had two real passions growing up in Torrington: Western history and international trade.
He says he satisfied his love of Western history as a successful best-selling author, penning three acclaimed books about the West...and is now ready to get back into international trade.
As Trade Ambassador and permanent representative to the WTO, Punke would oversee trade litigation, negotiate trade agreements and settle trade disputes between the U.S and the 153 other WTO member countries.
He would also manage the day-to-day negotiations in the long-running Doha round of world talks that are currently taking place in New Dehli, India.
Punke...who holds a law degree from Cornell...says he'll bring something of a Western perspective to the job if confirmed by the Senate....noting many parallels between Wyoming and Montana's history and international trade issues.
© Copyright by Double Q
Country Radio
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