New US Commerce Secretary and Ireland critic Howard Lutnick names sons as Cantor Fitzgerald successors

Billionaire businessman will step down as CEO of financial services firm, which has a significant presence in Ireland 

Howard Lutnick Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Outspoken billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick has been confirmed as Donald Trump's Commerce Secretary, becoming the US President's right-hand man in his plans for punitive tariffs and efforts to bring multinationals back to the US. 

Mr Lutnick, who was approved on a vote of 51-45, will oversee one of the largest US departments with responsibilities ranging from fisheries management to export controls.