Netflix appoints former Trump, Obama trade advisor Clete Willems as global policy head 

Netflix has appointed veteran international trade policy lawyer Clete Willems as its new chief global affairs officer.

Clete Willems

Willems, who has spent the past five years as a partner at Washington, DC-based law firm Akin Gump, where he advised trade associations and multinational companies on international economic law and policy, has previously worked for both the Trump and Obama administrations as legal advisor and chief counsel at the Office of the US Trade Representative. Axios was first to report the news.

In his new post, Willems will have oversight of Netflix’s policy strategy, a role that has taken on an added layer of relevance in recent weeks as trade tensions between America and almost all of its key trading partners have intensified after the Trump administration imposed sweeping international tariffs last week. Willems will lead all of Netflix’s policy teams across the world.

He joins almost six months after Netflix parted ways with its chief communications officer Rachel Whetstone and VP of public policy Dean Garfield. At the time, the goal was to have one executive overseeing both the communications and policy teams, but the streamer has shifted direction with its move to have Willems solely oversee policy. The streamer is still on the hunt for a head of communications.

“Clete’s strong background in policy strategy and international relations will be key in guiding our global efforts,” said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

“His expertise will help Netflix engage effectively with leaders worldwide, advocating for policies that support continued investment, innovation and growth.”