DURHAM, N.C. -- Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Juanita Kreps has died in North Carolina at the age of 89.
Duke University said in a news release that Kreps died Monday in Durham after a lengthy illness. She was an economist and vice president at Duke before becoming U.S. commerce secretary under President Jimmy Carter.
While serving in that position from 1977 to 1979, Kreps initiated a historic trade agreement between the United States and China.
Her funeral will be Friday in Durham.
