Credit:  U.S. Department of State  /  Ambassador Ronald J. Gidwitz  is the new  U.S. envoy to the EU.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  STAFF

President Trump appointed the U.S. ambassador to Belgium Ronald J. Gidwitz  to serve as the acting ambassador to the European Union (EU).  The posting was left vacant by Gordon Sondland, who was fired in February after he testified in the House’s impeachment inquiry into the president.

“I am pleased to announce the President has designated Ambassador Ronald J. Gidwitz as Acting Representative of the United States to the European Union.  In his capacity as Acting Representative, Ambassador Gidwitz will advance a strong U.S.-EU partnership, especially in achieving a speedy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while promoting our shared interests and values across the globe.  Ambassador Gidwitz will continue serving as U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Belgium, strengthening our bilateral economic and security relationship to the benefit of both nations.”

-U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo

Gidwitz  Was Also Presidential Candidate Trump’s Campaign Finance Chair in Illinois

Gidwitz previously served as the President and CEO of Helene Curtis, a toiletry and cosmetic manufacturer and marketer, growing the company from $100 million in sales to $1.5 billion when the business was sold 17 years later.         “Gidwitz, who helped fund  President Trump’s campaign, likened to slum landlord over Illinois project condemned by Obama and other”, according to the UK Guardian.  A major financial backer of Trump’s presidential campaign, who once owned a housing estate in which low-income tenants were said to endure “inhumane” living standards, the UK Guardian wrote of Gidwitz’ nomination as the U.S Ambassador to Belgium in May 2018.   Gidwitz, a wealthy 73-year-old businessman from Chicago gave Trump and other Republicans $700,000 in 2016.