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The Asia Pacific region is one of the most dynamic regions in the world, with high economic growth rates and increasing volumes of trade. Countries in the region are entering into a record level of trade agreements among themselves, many of which exclude the United States. Ms. Cutler will discuss how the Administration is responding with an active agenda of economic engagement in the region, and explain the importance of Congressional approval of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement in this regard. She was the Chief U.S. Negotiator for the Korean-U.S. (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement, signed on June 30, 2007. The KORUS agreement is the most commercially significant free trade agreement that the United States has concluded in over 15 years.

Ms. Cutler became the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in June 2004. In this capacity, she is responsible for developing and implementing U.S. trade policy towards Japan and Korea. In addition, she is responsible for developing and implementing trade and investment initiatives in the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Since joining USTR in 1988, Ms. Cutler has held a number of positions, including Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for North Asian Affairs, as well as for Services, Investment and Intellectual Property. She has negotiated bilateral agreements on a wide range of issues, including telecommunications, insurance, transparency and semiconductors. She also has extensive multilateral negotiating experience as the U.S. negotiator for the 1997 WTO Financial Services Agreement and the Uruguay Round Agreements on Rules of Origin and Import Licensing. Prior to joining USTR, Ms. Cutler worked at the Commerce Department from 1983-1988.

Ms. Cutler received her Masters Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and her B.A. from the George Washington University. She is married and has one son.