Cantwell Statement Following Senate Confirmation of Gary Locke as the Next U.S. Ambassador to China

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement regarding former Washington state governor Gary Locke's Senate confirmation to be the next U.S. Ambassador to China:

"I look forward to working closely with Ambassador Locke in order to help expand Washington state's exports to China. In his previous position as President Obama's Commerce Secretary, Ambassador Locke worked extensively with China on the issues important to the state of Washington and our country, including energy, trade and technology piracy, all of which will be essential for his new position.

"Gary Locke is uniquely qualified to be Ambassador to China. As a former governor from a state with strong economic ties to China, Locke has had a long understanding of issues in Asia. Ambassador Locke's credentials give him the opportunity for even more frank dialogue between America and China, which is crucial for our nation and for Washington state's economy.

"Expanding trade with China will not only help achieve the President's goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years, but it will also help create family-wage jobs. Washington state is uniquely positioned to help reach this goal with our robust trade economy and the strategic location of the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma -- together the second largest load center in the country. I congratulate Ambassador Locke on his new position, and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead."

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