The Wall Street Journal

Howard Lutnick Is Confirmed as Commerce Secretary With Tariff Fights Heating Up

Billionaire joins an economic team that includes trade hawk Peter Navarro

Howard Lutnick appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee in January.
Howard Lutnick appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee in January. Photo: Michael Brochstein/Zuma Press

WASHINGTON—The Senate on Tuesday voted 51-45 to confirm Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary, putting in place a billionaire Wall Street veteran turned avowed protectionist to lead the president’s global trade agenda.

Who is Howard Lutnick?

The former chief executive of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial-services firm, ran the personnel operation for Trump’s presidential transition. Lutnick, age 63, took the reins at Cantor in 1991. He stepped down following the confirmation vote, a spokesman for Lutnick said.

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