The deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominee has vowed to seek strong and creative policies in dealing with key trade affairs.

During a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing Thursday, Demetrios Marantis said the ratification of the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is one of the key issues to be settled.

Marantis vowed to place top priority on resolving an imbalance in auto trade and restrictions on beef exports to South Korea before efforts are carried out for the ratification of the trade deal. He stressed that the South Korea-U.S. trade pact offers enormous potential benefit to the U.S. economy.

Marantis worked most recently as the Senate Finance Committee’s chief counsel on international trade. The Senate is expected to approve his appointment as deputy trade representative as early as next week.