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An Iranian-American Lawyer Appointed as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce

Jan 26, 2026 January 26, 2026 2 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

Nazak Nikakhtar, an Iranian-American lawyer, has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, officially sworn in on April 2. This appointment comes amid heightened scrutiny of trade policies under the Trump administration, particularly regarding tariffs on Chinese imports. Her role is significant as it involves enhancing the competitive position of American businesses globally.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Nikakhtar's appointment signifies the growing role of Iranian-Americans in U.S. governance during a critical period of trade policy shifts.

👥 Key Players

Nazak Nikakhtar MENTIONED
Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce
"As an Iranian-American, her appointment reflects the increasing influence of Iranian-Americans in U.S. politics and trade, especially during a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran."
Donald Trump MENTIONED
President of the United States
"His administration's trade policies, including tariffs on China, are central to the current economic environment that Nikakhtar will navigate."
Chinese Ministry of Commerce MENTIONED
Government body of China
"Their response to U.S. tariffs is critical in understanding the potential for trade conflict and its implications for global markets."

📰 What Happened

Nazak Nikakhtar was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce on April 2, following her nomination and confirmation. Her role will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses amid ongoing trade tensions, particularly with China.

  • Nikakhtar was nominated by the Trump administration in October 2017 and confirmed by Congress on March 19, 2018.
  • On the same day as her swearing-in, President Trump signed an order imposing $60 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Nikakhtar's position could influence U.S. trade policies that affect Iranian-American businesses and the broader Iranian diaspora.
🌍 Regional: The appointment may affect U.S.-Iran relations, particularly in the context of trade and economic sanctions.
🌐 International: It highlights the U.S. stance on trade and its implications for global economic relations, especially with China.

📚 Background

The U.S. Department of Commerce plays a crucial role in shaping trade policies that affect international relations. Nikakhtar's background in international trade law positions her to navigate complex trade issues.

U.S.-Iran relations Global trade policies
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The information comes from official announcements and is likely to be factual, though interpretations may vary based on political perspectives.

Nazak Nikakhtar, an Iranian-American lawyer, was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday, April 2. The U.S. Department of Commerce officially announced the appointment of Ms. Nikakhtar, a 44-year-old lawyer, in a tweet published on Tuesday. The Trump administration nominated Ms. Nikakhtar for the position in October 2017, and Congress confirmed her appointment two weeks ago on March 19. According to the tweet from the Department of Commerce, Ms. Nikakhtar took the oath of office as "Deputy Secretary for Industry and Research" on Tuesday morning. The tweet stated that Ms. Nikakhtar will be responsible for a team of trade and commerce professionals tasked with enhancing the competitive position of American businesses in the global market. This area has been under intense scrutiny and in the headlines, especially in recent weeks during the Trump administration. President Trump has promised since the beginning of his presidency to revive American industries by supporting domestic production and preventing "trade abuses" by other countries. In this context, on April 2, the President signed an order imposing $60 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce described the U.S. government's actions as a "serious blow" to the global trading system and warned that while Beijing does not seek a trade war, it is not afraid of one. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce also announced its readiness for retaliatory measures by releasing a list of American goods. Ms. Nikakhtar, a Maryland resident affiliated with a law firm in Washington focusing on international trade law, has been appointed to the Deputy Secretary position in such an environment. Nazak Nikakhtar studied at Syracuse University and also taught at Georgetown University for a period. Before her appointment, she worked as a legal advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce on legal and trade law matters. In 2002, she also represented the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) to present the views and opinions of Iranian-Americans before the Subcommittee on Immigration in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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