WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab today announced that Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Karan K. Bhatia, will depart the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in October to return to the private sector.  Ambassador Bhatia has served in President Bush’s Administration for six years, including two as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.

“Karan Bhatia has been a great contributor to the President’s international trade agenda during his tenure as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, as well as in his previous positions at the Department of Transportation and Department of Commerce,” commented Ambassador Schwab.  “While I am very sorry to see him go, he leaves behind a legacy of important contributions, including negotiating the landmark U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, overseeing Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and launching the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum.”

During his tenure at USTR, Ambassador Bhatia was a senior member of Ambassador Schwab’s management team, with day-to-day responsibility for overseeing U.S. trade relations with Asia and Africa.  Prior to serving at USTR, he had served as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Aviation and International Affairs and Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.  Before joining the Administration, he had been a partner at a major Washington, D.C. law firm.