Hon. O. Felix Obi
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The Executive Office of U.S. President’s Trade Advisory Committee (TACA), Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
Hon. O. Felix Obi is a distinguished public policy and international trade expert who currently serves on the Executive Office of the President of the United States Trade Advisory Committee (TACA), under the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). In this capacity, he provides strategic counsel on trade policy formulation, with particular emphasis on fostering equitable and sustainable trade relationships between the United States and global markets.
In addition to his federal advisory role, Mr. Obi is an Adjunct Professor of Economics, specializing in Global Trade and Political Economy. His academic work bridges theory and practice, focusing on the complex interplay of international economic policy, commercial strategy, and geopolitical dynamics.
Mr. Obi is widely recognized for his expertise in commercial diplomacy, with a specialized focus on U.S.-Africa trade and investment relations. His work centers on aligning public policy frameworks with commercial strategies to enhance mutual economic growth and development. His broader research and advisory interests span the field of International Political Economy, particularly the interconnections between public policy, political institutions, and commercial interests across both industrialized and emerging markets.
Previously, Mr. Obi served as Commissioner and Chair for Economic and Africa Trade Development for the State of Maryland, where he led initiatives to expand Maryland’s trade footprint and economic partnerships across the African continent. He also held key federal roles as an Economic Development Fellow and Management Analyst at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he contributed to national strategies for inclusive economic growth.
Further extending his impact on global development policy, Mr. Obi served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Global Future of Development Initiative—a joint collaboration between the World Bank Group and Georgetown University. In this role, he provided thought leadership on sustainable development strategies and the evolving future of global economic governance.
Mr. Obi holds a Master of Policy Management (MPM) from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, where he concentrated on international economic policy and regulatory strategy. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business Management and Public Policy, with a minor in Business Law and Public Policy, from the University of Maryland.
In recognition of his leadership and contributions to global commerce, Felix was named a 2021 Bowe Fellow by the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI)—an honor awarded to emerging leaders in international business and economic development.