Deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab was selected on Tuesday by President George W. Bush to step up to the top job of Trade Representative for America, succeeding Rob Portman.

Bush has nominated Portman to be the next director of the Office of Management and Budget of the White House, replacing Josh Bolten, who has become the new White House chief of staff.

On Nov. 10, 2005, Schwab was confirmed unanimously by the Senate as Deputy USTR.

In this capacity, she has been responsible for trade policy development, negotiation and implementation across a range of issues and regions, according to USTR's office.

Since her arrival at USTR, Schwab has been actively engaged in the development of U.S. strategy in the Doha Round multilateral trade negotiations, and successfully concluded bilateral free trade agreements with Peru and Colombia.

From 1995 through to 2003, Schwab served as Dean of the School of Public Policy in the University of Maryland.

Immediately before joining the administration, she held the position of President and CEO of the University System of Maryland (USM) Foundation as well as USM Vice Chancellor for Advancement.

Schwab grew up in Africa, Europe and Asia. She currently resides in Annapolis, Maryland.

Source: Xinhua