Trump nominates lawyer Jamieson Greer as trade representative

Photo: Brandon Bell Pool via Associated Press “Jamieson played a key role during my first term in imposing tariffs on China and other countries to combat unfair trade practices,” Donald Trump said.

Agence France-Presse in Washington

Published yesterday at 9:19 p.m. Updated at 12:15 a.m.

• United States

Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he had nominated Jamieson Greer, an international trade lawyer who has already distinguished himself in an offensive policy against China, as White House Trade Representative (USTR).

The US president-elect also chose Kevin Hassett on Tuesday to lead his team of economic advisers, the National Economic Council.

The announcements come as Donald Trump has rekindled concerns about all-out trade wars by threatening to impose tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico as soon as he takes office on January 20.

“Jamieson played a key role during my first term in imposing tariffs on China and other countries to combat unfair trade practices,” Donald Trump said in a statement.

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He also cited Jamieson Greer’s help in securing a free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada at the time.

A former chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, then the US Trade Representative during Donald Trump’s first term and a China critic, Greer will play a central role in trade policy wanted by the American president-elect.

Strategic position

Mr. Greer had been associated with the decisions taken by Robert Lighthizer, who largely took part in the strategy of the first Trump presidency to force Beijing's hand: an increase in customs duties on $300 billion of Chinese products imported into the United States in order to push China to accept trade negotiations.

A full member of the American government but directly attached to the White House, the position of Trade Representative is strategic on certain essential aspects such as the application of customs duties or trade negotiations.

He is also the United States representative within the World Trade Organization, where potential trade conflicts could be played out.

A lawyer with King & Spalding and originally from California, Mr. Greer is also a veteran of the United States Air Force, according to Mr. Trump.

A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Greer also completed some of his studies at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Sciences Po Paris, according to his LinkedIn profile.

A former economic adviser to Donald Trump during his first term, Mr. Hassett is expected to help advance the president-elect’s economic agenda, including tax cuts and trade negotiations.

“He will play an important role in helping American families recover from the inflation unleashed by the Biden administration,” Donald Trump added in a press release.

Mr. Trump had already announced last week the nomination of Howard Lutnick, CEO of the investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and also a strong critic of China, as Secretary of Commerce.

Donald Trump had then announced that Howard Lutnick would also oversee the USTR, which traditionally reports directly to the president.

Congressional approval may be required for such a change.