| Robert D. Hormats | |
|---|---|
| Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs (United States) | |
| In office 2009 – present |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Reuben Jeffery III |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Tufts University The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy |
Under Secretary for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs is an undersecretary position within the United States Department of State. The Under Secretary for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs serves as senior economic advisor at the State Department and advises the Secretary of State on international economic policy. The Under Secretary also leads the work of the Department on trade, agriculture, aviation, and bilateral trade relations with America's economic partners. The Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs (formerly the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs) is the only bureau under the Under Secretary. The current Under Secretary is Robert Hormats, who was sworn in on September 23, 2009.
An Act of Congress first authorized an Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on August 1, 1946, for a 2-year period as the third-ranking officer in the Department. The position was not renewed, however, and between 1947 and 1958 the ranking officer in the Department handling foreign economic matters was either a Deputy Under Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of State. On June 30, 1958, Congress re-established the position of Under Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Mutual Security Act. The following year, the Department of State Organization Act of July 30, 1959, authorized the President to appoint either an Under Secretary for Political Affairs or an Under Secretary for Economic Affairs.
Between 1959 and 1972, during periods when there was no Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, the ranking officer for foreign economic affairs was again either a Deputy Under Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of State. On July 13, 1972, Congress established separate and permanent positions at the Under Secretary of State level for Economic Affairs and for Political Affairs, in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. On August 16, 1985, Congress changed the title to include Agricultural Affairs. The Under Secretary for Economic and Agricultural Affairs serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary (previously Under Secretary) on matters relating to foreign economic and commercial policy. Specified duties, responsibilities, and assignments have varied over time. Each incumbent is commissioned with a functional designation as part of his title. On May 12, 1994, the title was changed to Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs.
Contents |
| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| William L. Clayton | August 3, 1946 | October 15, 1947 | Harry S. Truman |
| C. Douglas Dillon | July 1, 1958 | June 11, 1959 | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| George W. Ball | February 1, 1961 | December 3, 1961 | John F. Kennedy |
| Thomas C. Mann | March 18, 1965 | May 31, 1966 | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| William J. Casey | February 2, 1973 | March 14, 1974 | Richard Nixon |
| Charles W. Robinson | January 3, 1975 | April 9, 1976 | Gerald Ford |
| William D. Rogers | June 18, 1976 | December 31, 1976 | Gerald Ford |
| Richard N. Cooper | April 8, 1977 | January 19, 1981 | Jimmy Carter |
| Myer Rashish | June 29, 1981 | January 20, 1982 | Ronald Reagan |
| W. Allen Wallis | September 23, 1982 | January 20, 1989 | Ronald Reagan |
The office of Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs was renamed the Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs on August 16, 1985.
| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| W. Allen Wallis | September 23, 1982 | January 20, 1989 | Ronald Reagan |
| Richard T. McCormack | April 14, 1989 | May 3, 1991 | George H. W. Bush |
| Robert Zoellick | May 20, 1991 | August 23, 1992 | George H. W. Bush |
| Joan E. Spero | April 1, 1993 | February 24, 1997 | Bill Clinton |
The office of Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs was renamed the Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs on May 12, 1994.
| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joan E. Spero | April 1, 1993 | February 24, 1997 | Bill Clinton |
| Stuart E. Eizenstat | June 6, 1997 | July 16, 1999 | Bill Clinton |
| Alan P. Larson | November 24, 1999 | February 25, 2005 | Bill Clinton and George W. Bush |
| Josette Sheeran | August 23, 2005 | April 4, 2007 | George W. Bush |
| Reuben Jeffery III | June 27, 2007 | January 20, 2009 | George W. Bush |
| Robert Hormats | September 23, 2009 | Barack Obama |