Samuel T. Negatu, a Democrat of California, was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve on the U.S. International Trade Commission on June 1, 2026, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 16, 2026, for a term expiring June 16, 2029.

Prior to joining the Commission, Commissioner Negatu served as Director of Government Affairs at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), where he directed the association’s federal advocacy on trade, transportation, and technology policy.

Previously, Commissioner Negatu served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), including as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs and later as Assistant General Counsel. During his tenure at USTR, he advised on congressional affairs and helped develop U.S. trade policy, litigated labor enforcement cases under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and participated in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations on behalf of the United States.

Earlier in his career, Commissioner Negatu served on the staff of Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA). While serving in Representative Gomez’s office, he was a staff negotiator for the House Democratic USMCA Working Group during negotiations that led to congressional approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. He also worked on legislative and oversight matters involving international trade, appropriations, technology, and manufacturing policy.

Commissioner Negatu earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is originally from Anaheim, California.

Last updated September 10, 2026