Biden chooses Gina M. Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce

Some progressive groups have protested Ms Raimondo’s selection, arguing that the Biden administration should look to a populist Democrat instead. In a Jan. 6 announcement, the Revolving Door Project and Demand Progress criticized Ms. Raimondo as a “business insider” that locked down corporate liability protection but stripped funding from low-income areas of Rhode Island during the pandemic.

A progressive Democrat could wield the powers of the Commerce Department to fight climate change, limit pharmaceutical patents and lower drug costs, reform the census process to reduce gerrymandering, and craft trade policy that would help working families, according to the press release.

Some critics have questioned whether Ms Raimondo has the technical knowledge to design and implement a strategy to deal with China’s technological challenges. In addition to speaking out against deindustrialization and promoting business in Rhode Island, she has first-hand experience of China’s economic challenges: Her father was fired when the watch factory he worked for in Providence, RI, took over. moved to China.

Historically, the choice of a secretary of commerce has sometimes had more to do with favoritism than strategy, with some jurisdictions appointing a wealthy donor to the post. But given the growing importance of U.S. competition with China, trade experts say, the job requires someone with expertise who can understand the cutting-edge technologies the department regulates and balance competing demands of promotion of business and national security.

Michael Smart, managing director and business expert at Rock Creek Global Advisors, said that much of the Biden administration’s “affirmative response to China agenda,” which includes efforts to make the US economy more competitive, would fall under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department. .

William Reinsch, Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Biden and his team have placed great emphasis on more effective competition with China, including efforts to expand the industry. that could be managed by the Department of Commerce.

“When you are in a race there are only two ways to win. One is tripping the other guy and the other is running faster, ”Reinsch said. “And to Biden’s credit, he’s really focused on running faster.”