Oregon Public Broadcasting

U.S. exports to China may get a boost if former Washington Governor Gary Locke is confirmed as Commerce Secretary.

President Obama Wednesday formally nominated Locke for that position.

Joe Borich is with the Washington State China Relations Council. He says Locke – who’s Chinese-American - is known in China by everyone from taxi drivers to top government officials.

Joe Borich: “He has an extremely good reputation in China and I think that he does have access that will certainly give his perspectives and American trade policy a very close hearing when he is in China and I’m sure he’ll be traveling there on more than one occasion while he’s Secretary of Commerce.”

Locke was treated like something of a rock star during his trade missions to China while governor of Washington state.

Borich says those visits also helped Washington businesses. Specific deals were inked with Washington’s tree fruit growers, a major architecture firm and a printing press company.