Ambassador Ronald J. Sorini, Co-Founder and Principal

Ron Sorini implements and manages the firm’s business development, consulting, and lobbying practice on international trade negotiations and legislation. He represents several major U.S. corporations and trade associations before the U.S. Government and the Congress on international trade issues and legislation. Mr. Sorini’s unique combination of government, political, and corporate experience enables him to provide well-rounded strategic advice and international market analysis to multinational corporations and foreign governments.

Prior to founding Sorini, Samet & Associates, Mr. Sorini, ran a successful trade negotiations and legislative affairs practice for eight years. Mr. Sorini created and developed this practice into a multi-million dollar business, where he served on the firm’s operating committee and managed the practice’s business development and trade negotiations.

Mr. Sorini served as Senior Vice President for International Development & Government Relations at Fruit of the Loom for four years. At Fruit of the Loom, Mr. Sorini conducted an intensive study on the Chinese market, identified potential business partners, and began negotiations on a manufacturing/marketing joint venture. He also analyzed new locations for manufacturing facilities in Mexico and Central America, and developed strategies for hedging in the international cotton market. He developed and advocated company positions on trade, tax, and regulatory issues before the U.S. Government. Mr. Sorini also started and managed the company's Political Action Committee.

Mr. Sorini has more than thirteen years of experience in high-level positions in the federal government at the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

In 1989, Mr. Sorini was appointed by President Bush and confirmed by the Senate as Ambassador & Chief Textile Negotiator for USTR. Ambassador Sorini advised the U.S. Trade Representative, the Cabinet, and the President on domestic and international economic issues. He developed and implemented policies to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. fiber, textile, and apparel industries. Mr. Sorini chaired U.S. delegations in the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Uruguay Round, and bilateral agreements with more than fifty nations. He developed U.S. negotiating positions, weighing the views of other government agencies, domestic industry, retailers and broader economic and foreign policy considerations. His successful negotiations opened foreign markets for domestic manufacturers, helped U.S. companies with trademark and design counterfeiting problems, and worked with the U.S. Customs Service to identify and eliminate fraud and circumvention of U.S. trade agreements.