Washington: Donald Trump Tuesday is named Jamison Greer His trade envoys are key players in executing the president-elect’s economic agenda, particularly his plans tariff Increase revenue and help bring more manufacturing to U.S. shores.
Trump also named Kevin Hassett as his chief economic adviser, putting the former member of the first administration at the helm of the White House. national economic council. Hassett will also help push Trump’s plans, from tax cuts to expanding energy production.
“During my first term, Jamieson played a key role in imposing tariffs on China and other countries to combat unfair trade practices,” Trump said of Greer, who served as President during Trump’s second term. During the first administration, he served as chief of staff to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
He also cited Greer’s experience helping negotiate trade deals between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Greer is a partner at the law firm King & Spalding.
During Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021, the United States imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of imports—particularly targeting China but also U.S. allies.
In particular, as the tariff war between Washington and Beijing continues to escalate, the Trump administration has imposed tariffs on approximately $300 billion in Chinese goods.
Lighthizer emerged as a strongman in trade negotiations, trying to force Beijing to change its economic policies.
If confirmed by the Senate, Greer, considered a Lighthizer protégé, would be responsible for rolling out Trump’s tariff policies and negotiating trade deals.
manufacturing returns
Trump on Tuesday praised Greer’s efforts under Lighthizer, saying they helped bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.
Trump added that as U.S. Trade Representative, Greer will work to control the U.S. trade deficit, protect U.S. industries and expand export markets.
Trump has vowed to impose sweeping tariffs of at least 10% on allies and adversaries, and higher tariffs on China.
The aim is to boost government revenue and target a country he says is “ripping us off” while pushing companies to bring production back to U.S. shores.
Even before taking office in January, Trump threatened to immediately launch a trade war with China, Mexico and Canada, the three largest economic partners of the United States, early in his presidency.
It’s unclear what role Lighthizer might play in Trump’s second term, but he is expected to remain influential on the path to becoming president.
Greer’s early role at the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office meant he was involved in Washington’s decision to impose tariffs on Beijing during Trump’s first term and reach a “Phase One” trade deal in 2020.
The agreement marks a truce in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
But China has yet to fulfill its pledge to increase purchases of U.S. products and services in 2020 and 2021 as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic.
