The never-ending chapter from China

That view is based on his understanding of the bilateral trade relationship while the top man at Commerce, and experience as a businessman dealing with China.

As secretary, Gutierrez frequently visited Latin America and was a supporter of the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. He played a key role in the passage of CAFTA-DR, a landmark trade pact that expanded opportunities for US exports throughout Central America and the Dominican Republic.

But, on China, he admits, he put in "more time than, probably, any other issue".

During those four years as commerce chief, Gutierrez visited China at least twice a year to attend events such as the Strategic Economic Dialogue, a framework for bilateral economic talks, as well as other bilateral trade discussions.

"I've got some great stories to share," he says, indicating something exclusive is forthcoming. "When China started exporting textiles, we had an agreement that if the exports were so high that it disrupted the market, we could put in a quota for a certain amount of time, and so we did that (in 2005)," he explains.

Gutierrez felt that the decision needed some face-to-face explanation to the people involved, who in this case were Chinese factory workers. So he visited a textile factory in China and spoke to its employees.

"But I enjoyed it, because I think that part of the relationship is, if we make a decision, we should explain why, and if it's necessary, to go to the plant to tell the workers ... I felt that I had certain - if not a responsibility, that it was just the right thing to do."

Those China trips and reciprocal ones from top Chinese officials during his time on Bush's team helped Gutierrez understand the country where he had developed good relationships and had candid discussions on various issues.

"We had developed the trust level so we could talk to each other," he says.

On a personal level, the ex-secretary says he's very impressed by the Chinese people, as well as "their ability to go through a difficult time, and to be strong enough to survive and to prosper", he explains.

He shares his own sense of the country: "You know, life hasn't been easy for the last 5,000 years, but the Chinese people are strong and they've been able to grow and strive during very difficult times."

By the time he left the Commerce Department in 2009, Gutierrez had already formed a strong interest in China and became a devoted reader of Chinese literature.

"I love to read about China, and I read everything I can about China - every day I learn a little bit more," he says.

"The art, the people, the culture, and the history - just the whole experience - I am fascinated by China. I can't read enough; I have read a lot about the 20th century and now I am reading The Red Chamber," he says as he looks away to the window into a foggy scene of Manhattan, thinking.