Michael Froman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Froman
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Official portrait, 2013
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| President of the Council on Foreign Relations | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Richard N. Haass |
| 17th United States Trade Representative | |
| In office June 21, 2013 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Miriam Sapiro Robert Holleyman |
| Preceded by | Ron Kirk |
| Succeeded by | Robert Lighthizer |
| United States Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 1993 – December 31, 1995 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 20, 1962 San Rafael, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nancy Goodman |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) St Antony's College, Oxford (MA, DPhil) Harvard University (JD) |
Michael Froman (born August 20, 1962) is an American lawyer. He is currently the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, a group that studies global issues.
Froman also served as the U.S. Trade Representative from 2013 to 2017. In this role, he helped manage trade deals for the United States. He also worked as a top advisor on economic matters for two U.S. Presidents.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Froman was born on August 20, 1962, in San Rafael, California. He grew up in a Jewish family. As a teenager, he was very active in the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO). He even became its International President in 1980.
Froman went to Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Public and International Affairs in 1985. He then studied at St Antony's College, Oxford, and received a Ph.D. in International Relations in 1988. Later, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, he was a classmate of future President Barack Obama.
Career Highlights
Froman started his career by helping with legal programs in Albania. He also worked for the European Commission in Brussels, which is like the government of the European Union.
He served as a White House Fellow in 1992-1993. During this time, he worked in the White House office that dealt with economic and domestic policy.
Working for President Clinton
From 1993 to 1995, Froman was a Deputy National Security Advisor. This meant he advised the President on international economic issues. He worked for both the National Security Council and the National Economic Council.
He also focused on economic policy for countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. He helped with the economic parts of the Dayton Accords, which were peace agreements for the former Yugoslavia.
Froman spent several years at the United States Department of the Treasury. He became the Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the Treasury, Robert Rubin, from 1997 to 1999.
After Government Service
After the Clinton administration ended in 2001, Froman joined Citigroup, a major financial company. He held important roles there, including President and CEO of CitiInsurance. He also managed investments in developing countries.
Working for President Obama
Froman reconnected with Barack Obama during Obama's 2004 Senate campaign. He advised Obama on policy matters. In 2008, Froman joined Obama's transition team.
In 2009, he returned to the White House. He took on a similar role to his time with President Clinton. He was a deputy assistant to the president and a deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs. He held this position until 2013.
U.S. Trade Representative
In May 2013, President Obama nominated Froman to be the U.S. Trade Representative. This role involves negotiating trade agreements with other countries.
During his confirmation process, some financial details were discussed. He also addressed concerns about trade barriers and environmental standards. The U.S. Senate confirmed him on June 19, 2013, with a vote of 93-4. One senator, Elizabeth Warren, voted no because she wanted more transparency in trade talks. Some environmental groups also criticized the secrecy of trade negotiations.
From 2013 to 2017, Froman was the lead negotiator for a major investment treaty with China. These talks had been going on since 2008. When the next presidential administration took office, the negotiations stopped. Froman stated that the agreement was almost complete.
Recent Roles
In 2017, Froman joined the Council on Foreign Relations as a distinguished fellow. This organization helps people understand global issues.
In 2018, he became Vice Chairman and President for Strategic Growth at Mastercard. He also joined the board of directors for The Walt Disney Company.
Since 2019, he has been part of a task force that focuses on relations between Europe and the United States.
In March 2023, Michael Froman was chosen as the new president of the Council on Foreign Relations. He took over from Richard N. Haass, who had led the organization for twenty years.
Personal Life
Michael Froman lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Nancy Goodman. They have two children, Benjamin and Sarah. Their older son, Jacob, passed away in 2009 at the age of ten from a rare form of brain cancer.
