Donald Trump nominates Jamieson Greer as US Trade Representative

Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, November 26, that he had appointed White House trade representative Jamieson Greer, a trade law lawyer who had already held office during the Republican’s first presidency.

“Jamieson played a key role during my first term in imposing tariffs on China and other countries to combat unfair trade practices”said the president-elect of the United States in a press release. Donald Trump also mentioned the help provided by Jamieson Greer in reaching a free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada at the time.

This announcement comes at a time when Donald Trump is rekindling concerns about all-out trade wars by threatening China, Canada and Mexico to increase customs duties as soon as he comes to power on January 20.

Former chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, then trade representative during Donald Trump’s first term and critic of China, Mr. Greer will play a central role in the trade policy desired by Donald Trump. Mr. Greer had been associated with the decisions taken by Robert Lighthizer who largely participated in the strategy of the first Trump presidency to force Beijing’s hand: an increase in customs duties on 300 billion dollars of Chinese products imported to the United States. United to push China to agree to trade negotiations.

Studies at Panthéon-Sorbonne University and Sciences Po Paris

A full member of the American government but reporting directly 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 representative of the United States within the World Trade Organization, where potential trade conflicts could play out.

A lawyer with the King & Spalding firm, and a native of California, Mr. Greer is also a veteran of the United States Air Force, according to Mr. Trump. A graduate of the University of Virginia Law School, Mr. Greer also completed part of his studies at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Sciences Po Paris, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Donald Trump had already announced last week the appointment as commerce secretary of Howard Lutnick, CEO of the investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and also a keen critic of China. Donald Trump then announced that Howard Lutnick would also supervise the trade representative, who traditionally reports directly to the president. Congressional approval may be required for such a change.

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