Vice President Joe Biden has sworn in former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk as the new U.S. trade representative.
Biden delivered the oath in a ceremony Friday at the White House complex.
The vice president said Kirk will be responsible for working to open markets throughout the world to create new opportunities and higher living standards for American families and businesses.
Kirk was sworn in two days after the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm his nomination.
He is the first African-American in the trade post. He has vowed to pursue new trade deals but also to work to ensure that U.S. trading partners are not violating existing agreements.
Kirk's confirmation followed earlier revelations about a personal tax issue. He was among a number of President Barack Obama's nominees to run into problems because of tax concerns.
News
