Ron Kirk Hearing: Today at 5 p.m.

The Senate Finance Committee hearing for Ron Kirk's nomination as USTR will be today at 5.  I'll update this post if anything interesting is said.

UPDATE:

I'm not sure when a transcript of the hearing will be available, but Kirk's statement is.  Here are some passages that I found noteworthy:

we are mindful that the benefits of trade are diffuse while the costs are concentrated.

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It is true that cheaper foreign products help squeezed American families stretch their dollars, and the sale of our goods and services abroad support American jobs. But it is also true that the overarching benefits of trade are difficult to appreciate when a plant closes in a small community because of increased foreign competition.

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And I fully appreciate the central role of Congress in that conversation. If confirmed, I will come to you early and often to consult and to listen.

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But I do not come to this job with what I have called in some of our meetings “deal fever”. I know that you want the referees at the WTO to call a foul when the rules are broken. And I agree. The first order of business for the Administration on trade is to ensure strong enforcement of the rules.

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Other priorities include working with our trading partners to advance the Doha Round negotiations, working with you and the countries in question on pending agreements, and pursuing new initiatives that will seek to channel trade as a driver of economic progress – if they are done right.

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And at an appropriate time and with proper Congressional input and concerns addressed, this President will require the authority to negotiate new agreements and bring them to Congress for an up or down vote.

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I believe in trade and will work to expand it, but I also know that not all Americans are winning from it and that our trading partners are not always playing by the rules.

UPDATE 2:

Todd Tucker live blogged the hearing.

UPDATE 3:

I just listened to the Q & A.  My sense was that Kirk's confirmation was a foregone conclusion and they all just wanted to get things wrapped up quickly and get back to more pressing matters.