U.S. Trade Representative Kirk stepping down

Created on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 09:28 Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 09:28 Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 09:28 Written by CNN Hits: 505

STEPPING DOWN-- This June 8, 2012 file photo shows US Trade Representative Ron Kirk speaking in Houston. The White House announced Tuesday that Kirk would depart his post in late February. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Ron Kirk, the United States trade representative, will step down in February, his office announced Tuesday.

Responsible for developing and recommending American trade policy to the president, the trade representative is a Cabinet-level position, though isn't officially within the president's Cabinet.

"It has been no less than my greatest professional privilege to serve President Barack Obama alongside the dedicated professionals of USTR," Kirk wrote in a statement. "Together, we have made great strides to bring about the President's vision of a more robust, responsible, and responsive trade policy that opens markets to products stamped 'Made-in-America.'"

Kirk, an African-American, departs Obama's cabinet as some critics have questioned why Obama's second-term appointments have all been White males. Among his achievements in the office was shepherding the implementation of long-term trade agreements between the United States and Korea, Colombia, and Panama that originated during George W. Bush's administration.

A former mayor of Dallas, Kirk was sworn in as trade representative in March, 2009, after winning Senate confirmation despite a revelation that he had failed to pay some federal taxes.

A Senate Finance Committee review of Kirk's returns found that he had failed to report as income $37,750 in honoraria collected for 16 speaking engagements between 2005 and 2007. One year, he deducted honoraria from four events as charitable donations though he hadn't reported them as income, according to the committee report.

He also deducted too much for the cost of tickets to see the NBA Mavericks, reporting the entire $17,382 as business expenses, the report said.

Kirk subsequently paid the $9,975 he owed from amended returns.

The Senate voted to confirm Kirk by a vote of 92-5. The former mayor, who took office at a time of rising trade tensions with Mexico, promised to help strike a new balance between a commitment to free trade and concerns relating to environmental and labor standards.

In a statement released by the White House, Obama praised Kirk for his efforts to both illuminate unfair trade practices and advance free trade agreements.