WASHINGTON: Donald Trump named Tuesday Jamieson Greer His trade envoy, a key figure in the implementation of the president-elect’s economic agenda, especially his plans to use tariff To help increase revenue and bring more production to US shores.
Trump also picked Kevin Hassett as his top economic adviser, putting a former member of his first administration at the helm of the White House. National Economic Council. Hassett is also willing to help advance Trump’s plans, which range from tax cuts to expanding energy production.
“Jameson played a key role during my first term in imposing tariffs on China and others to combat unfair trade practices,” said Trump of Greer, who served as chief of staff to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during Trump’s first administration.
He also cited Greer’s experience helping to broker trade deals between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Greer is a partner at the law firm King & Spalding.
During Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, the United States introduced tariffs on billions of dollars worth of imports — particularly on China but also on US allies.
In particular, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on nearly $300 billion worth of Chinese goods as Washington and Beijing engaged in an escalating tariff war.
Lighthizer emerged as a strongman in trade negotiations, seeking to exert pressure on Beijing’s economic policies.
If confirmed by the Senate, Greer, seen as a protégé of Lighthizer, would be charged with rolling out Trump’s tariff policy and negotiating trade deals.
Product returns
Trump on Tuesday praised Greer’s efforts under Lighthizer, saying it has helped bring manufacturing jobs back to America.
As US trade representative, Greer is ready to work to rein in the country’s trade deficit, protect American industries and expand export markets, Trump added.
Trump has vowed sweeping tariffs of at least 10 percent on allies and rivals and tougher levels on China.
It aims to raise government revenue and target countries that he said are “ripping us off” while forcing businesses to bring manufacturing back to US shores.
Even before he takes office in January, Trump has threatened to start his presidency with an immediate trade war against three top US economic partners: China, Mexico and Canada.
It is unclear what role Lighthizer might assume in Trump’s second term, but he is expected to remain influential in the president-elect’s orbit.
Greer’s previous role in the USTR’s office meant he was involved in Washington’s decisions to impose tariffs on Beijing in Trump’s first term and a “phase one” trade deal in 2020.
The deal marks a truce in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
But China has yet to meet its commitments to increase purchases of American products and services during 2020 and 2021, as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic.