Robert S. LaRussa

Mr. LaRussa was Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade from April 2000 to January 2001. In the role of Under Secretary, he managed the development and implementation of U.S. trade policy. LaRussa was responsible for formulating U.S. trade policy as head of the Commerce Department’s 2,300-person International Trade Administration. Trade areas focused on included: promoting U.S. exports, advocating U.S. business interests abroad, enforcing laws against unfair trade practices, and ensuring compliance with trade agreements. He assisted in developing global information technology trade initiatives, linking U.S. high-tech companies with opportunities in Asia and Latin America and creating an e-commerce policy dialogue with the European Union. La Russa also oversaw the conclusion of the U.S.-EU data privacy agreement and represented the United States in a range of bilateral negotiations. He played a pivotal role in gaining Congressional approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China; fabricated a rapid-response compliance initiative concerning trade with China and oversaw a $300 million yearly budget.

LaRussa has also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. While in government, Mr. LaRussa represented the United States in WTO negotiations, developed positions on key elements of U.S.- China WTO accession negotiations and played a key role in gaining Congressional approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. He spearheaded the administration of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty laws for four years; drafted dumping and subsidy regulations implementing Uruguay Round trade agreements; initiated technical assistance programs; managed a global export promotion network and led international trade missions. Prior to his work in the Administration, Mr. LaRussa was trade counsel to the chairman of the House Ways and Means International Trade Subcommittee and ran a Congressional task force on the Uruguay Round trade negotiations. Mr. LaRussa began his career as a journalist and editor and spent several years covering international trade, Congressional, regulatory and judicial matters.

Mr. La Russa attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned a J.D. in 1980. He also attended the University of Massachusetts, where he earned his B.A. History in 1976, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.