US President Mr Bill Clinton yesterday nominated Chicago lawyer Mr William Daley as US Commerce Secretary. Mr Daley (48), who played a key role in securing Congressional backing for the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993, will replace Mickey Kantor, who has asked to step down and return to private life.

Mr Daley, brother of Chicago mayor Mr Richard Daley and son of the late mayor Mr Richard Daley, had been a top candidate for the post of transportation secretary in 1992, but President Clinton chose Mr Federico Pena instead.