U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has expressed concerns about the nomination of Jeffrey Kessler for Under Secretary for Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In a letter addressed to Kessler ahead of his confirmation hearing, Warren questioned his stance on several critical issues, including export controls, enforcement of tariffs, and national security.
Warren highlighted bipartisan support for empowering the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) but emphasized the need for integrity and trust within the administration. "There is broad bipartisan support for empowering BIS to achieve its mission. However, for BIS to succeed, it needs to maintain integrity and trust - two qualities that this administration sorely lacks."
She criticized President Trump's past actions related to trade with China and raised concerns about potential risks in dealings with President Xi Jinping during Trump's second term. "I am concerned about how President Xi plans to manipulate the President during his second term," Warren stated.
If confirmed, Kessler would be responsible for overseeing BIS activities such as implementing dual-use export controls and enforcing tariffs. Warren underscored the importance of using economic tools in public interest and cautioned against tariff exclusion policies similar to those seen during Trump's first term. "(W)ith President Trump proposing far broader tariffs than before, the corporate scramble for exemptions is more and more intense," she wrote.
The confirmation hearing will address these concerns as part of Kessler's evaluation process.