Christopher A. Padilla

Christopher A. Padilla served as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade from December 2007 to November 2008. Prior to his confirmation, Secretary Padilla served as Acting Under Secretary from September 2007 until his appointment in December 2007. He was nominated by President George W. Bush on September 4, 2007 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 19, 2007. Mr. Padilla was responsible for leading the International Trade Administration, which participates in the development of U.S. trade policy; identifies and resolves market access and compliance issues; promotes American competitiveness and the strength of U.S. companies in the global economy; administers U.S. trade laws; and undertakes a range of trade promotion and trade advocacy efforts. The International Trade Administration has more than 2,200 dedicated individuals posted at U.S. embassies and commercial offices around the world.

Mr. Padilla also was appointed by President Bush to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China on March 28, 2008. 

Mr. Padilla worked in the Bush Administration from 2002 until November 2008. His particular focus was on international trade and economic issues. Nominated by President Bush, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration on September 29, 2006. In this position he was responsible for developing and implementing U.S. policies governing the export of items controlled for national security and foreign policy reasons, for promoting U.S. technology leadership in defense-critical products, and for industry compliance with international treaties governing chemical and biological weapons.

From 2005-2006, Padilla served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick, with a particular focus on U.S.- China policy, Latin America, Sudan, and international economic matters. From 2002-2005, Padilla was Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison, and was heavily involved in building support for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and several other trade agreements and initiatives.  

Mr. Padilla has more than fifteen years of international trade experience in the private sector. He worked in a number of international positions at AT&T and Lucent Technologies, including marketing, business development, and government affairs. Later, he was Director of International Trade Relations at Eastman Kodak Company. He holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in international studies from Johns Hopkins University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.