Trump Picks ‘China Hawk’ Jamieson Greer as Trade Rep

Politico’s Doug Palmer, Betsy Woodruff Swan and Ari Hawkins reported that “President-elect Donald Trump picked Jamieson Greer to be U.S. trade representative, elevating a figure little known outside of Washington to what is expected to be one of the most important posts in the incoming administration.”

“Greer, a former Air Force lawyer turned trade litigator, is a protegé of Robert Lighthizer, who was Trump’s trade representative in his first administration and is expected to influence trade policy in Trump’s second term,” Palmer, Swann and Hawkins reported. “‘Jamieson will focus the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on reining in the Country’s massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture and Services and opening up Export Markets everywhere,’ Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social.”

“If confirmed by the Senate, Greer, 44, will be on the front line of Trump’s threat to impose a baseline tariff of up to 20 percent on all $3 trillion worth of U.S. exports and a separate 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods,” Palmer, Swann and Hawkins reported.

Views on China

Bloomberg reported that “President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the top trade position sees China as a ‘generational challenge’ to the US and has advocated for a strategic decoupling from the country.”

“Jamieson Greer, who’s been nominated as the US Trade Representative, played a key role in imposing tariffs on China during Trump’s first term,” Bloomberg reported. “As former chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was Trump’s trade representative then, Greer shares a tough stance on Beijing. The president-elect has already begun unveiling policy plans, including a vow Monday to impose 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% on Chinese goods.”

“In his May testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Greer provided a roadmap for the policies the new administration might pursue, including action to prevent Chinese companies from relocating to other countries to dodge US tariffs,” Bloomberg reported.

“‘There is no silver bullet, and in some cases the effort to pursue strategic decoupling from China will cause short-term pain,’ he said,” according to Bloomberg’s reporting. “‘However, the cost of doing nothing or underestimating the threat posed by China is far greater.'”

Manufacturing Group Pleased with Pick

Palmer, Swann and Hawkins reported that “the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that represents manufacturers who favor import protection and support Trump’s tough approach on trade, hailed the nomination.”

“‘Jamieson’s deep understanding of economic, industrial, and trade issues, especially his work to counter China’s efforts to undermine U.S. economic and national security, will be crucial in this role,’ Michael Stumo, the group’s CEO said in a statement,” according to Palmer, Swann and Hawkins. “‘We are confident that Jamieson understands how Mexico, Vietnam, and the EU are exploiting America’s open economy for their advantage while not buying American made products in return.'”

🚨 NEW: President Trump announces the nomination of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative. pic.twitter.com/hS6rqASdgT

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 27, 2024

The New York Times’ Ana Swanson reported that “the U.S. trade representative, a cabinet-level official who carries the rank of ambassador, is charged with carrying out trade negotiations and resolving economic disputes with other countries, as well as working with lawmakers, farmers and business owners to shape trade policy. The representative leads a small agency of more than 200 people that has offices in Washington, Geneva and Brussels.”

“In addition to carrying out Mr. Trump’s tariff plans, the office is also likely to play an important role in negotiating trade terms with Canada and Mexico. In 2026, the countries are set to revisit the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trade pact Mr. Trump renegotiated in his first term to replace the NAFTA,” Swanson reported. “It remains to be seen how exactly Mr. Trump will organize the trade policy posts in his administration. In a post on Truth Social last Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that Howard Lutnick, his selection for commerce secretary, would ‘lead our tariff and trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.'”