US President Barack Obama has appointed Nigerian-born Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo as deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs.
Adeyemo will succeed Caroline Atkinson who represented the US at the recent climate change talks in Paris and who also played a key role in pushing the White House’s trade agenda.
Adeyemo, 34, joined the White House’s national economic council as deputy director last autumn after leaving the Treasury Department where he served as deputy chief of staff to Secretary Jacob Lew.
Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo
He previously played a crucial role as the treasury’s lead negotiator on currency agreements.
He was also in drafting the treasury’s responses to economic crises in Ukraine and Greece.
Adeyemo had been nominated to serve as assistant treasury secretary for international markets and development, but a White House official said Adeyemo had asked the president to withdraw the nomination given his new role.
In a statement posted on the White House website, President Obama welcomed Adeyemo’s appointment:
“I am grateful that Caroline’s work will be carried on by Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo, who has served in my administration since 2009.
“At the Treasury Department, he was part of the team that helped coordinate our response to the global recession, laying the foundation for renewed growth at home and abroad.
“I will be calling on Wally’s intellect, judgment and dedication as we sustain America’s global economic leadership, which reinforces our national security, and as we work with allies and partners around the world to create jobs and opportunity for all our people.”
Adeyemo’s appointment was been broadly welcomed within US government circles.
Lew said that Adeyemo has “developed a network of international relationships in economic offices around the world to promote U.S. interests effectively.”
Former Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner described Adeyemo as a “natural diplomat with a great feel for policy.”
Adeyamo’s new position has often served as a springboard for other officials including Michael Froman, the current U.S. trade representative, who previously held the post under both President Obama and former president Bill Clinton.
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