President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday that he will nominate former Edison International CEO John Bryson to be the next Commerce secretary, tapping a lawyer-turned-businessman in hopes of connecting with a business community that has been critical of the administration.
“John is somebody who will bring to this job a wealth of experience in the public and in the private sectors,” Obama said in the State Dining Room at the White House.
“As Commerce secretary, John is going to be an important part of my economic team, promoting American business and American products across the globe. By working with companies here at home, and representing America’s interests abroad, I’m confident that he’s going to help us meet the goal that I set of doubling our nation’s exports.”
If approved by the Senate, the 67-year-old Bryson will replace the outgoing Gary Locke, who Obama has picked to succeed John Huntsman Jr. as the new U.S. ambassador to China.
Bryson was chairman and CEO of energy group Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, from 1990 to 2008. He serves on a few corporate boards, including Boeing Co. and Walt Disney Co.
“In this new role, John will be able to draw on decades of business experience across a range of industries,” Obama said, with Bryson and Locke standing by him. “That’s the expertise that will help us create new jobs and make America more competitive in the global economy.”
Bryson could play a big role in U.S.-China commercial relations, as the department is responsible for dealing with alleged unfair trading practices by China and other trading partners.
