Washington, DC – U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today released the following statement regarding the retirement of Barbara Weisel after 33 years of government service. Her service includes 23 years at USTR, with the past 13 years as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
"I am grateful to Barbara for all of her expert counsel and hard work,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “For decades, Americans across the country have benefited from her commitment in expanding U.S. exports, removing trade barriers, and strengthening U.S. trade relations with the Asia-Pacific region. We wish her well in her new life chapter.”
Barbara Weisel began her USTR service in 1994. Starting as a Director for Japan Affairs, Barbara Weisel became Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Korea, then Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia, and beginning in 2004, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs. She held key leadership roles in advancing U.S. trade priorities and in key negotiations, including in negotiating the United States-Australia FTA, the United States-Singapore FTA, the ASEAN-United States Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement, and many other country and sector initiatives.
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