United States President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday selected trade lawyer Jamison Greer to serve as the new U.S. Trade Representative, a move that will reshape global trade with a strong tariff agenda. indicates the continuation of
In a statement, Trump, 78, said: “Jameson will focus the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on reining in the nation’s large trade deficit, defending American manufacturing, agriculture and services and opening up export markets everywhere. will do.”
The 44-year-old lawyer previously served as chief of staff to former Trump trade representative Robert Lighthizer, who renegotiated tariffs on about $370 billion worth of Chinese imports and the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada. Played an important role in communicating. Mexico
Greer played a key role in the negotiations leading to the “Phase 1” trade deal with China, signed in January 2020, which included China’s commitment to purchase $200 billion in US goods over two years. — a goal that was ultimately not met, in part due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greer, who previously worked with Lighthizer at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom on steel trade remedy cases, left the USTR in May 2020 to join the King & Spalding law firm in Washington, DC. .
There, he has represented clients including domestic manufacturers in trade remedy matters, export and import compliance and investment protection matters.
Trump vowed on Monday to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods until the U.S. imports the deadly opioid fentanyl and non-U.S. Does not stop the flow of legal immigrants. The threat has warned of retaliation.
The threat comes on top of Trump’s promise to impose a 60% tariff on Chinese imports and a 10% to 20% tariff on all goods from elsewhere.
Greer’s views on China are strongly aligned with those of both Trump and Lighthizer, and the need for tougher measures against China to dominate global industries and counter its state efforts to protect American jobs and industries. is on
During testimony before the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission in May, Greer argued for “increased use of tariffs” to level the trade playing field between the U.S. and China, as well as sensitive Also strong export controls to protect US technologies.
He praised President Joe Biden’s hike in hefty tariffs on Chinese imports to protect strategic industries such as electric vehicles, batteries and semiconductors, but said tougher action was needed.
“I am deeply concerned not only about Chinese efforts to dominate global markets and some of the most important technologies and advanced manufactured goods, but also about the Chinese government’s investment in its state-owned enterprises, its military, and subsequent commercial investment. There’s also concern over consumption. Drive an economy that’s gearing up for conflict with the United States and others,” Greer said.
Greer said during a February trade forum that his clients are trying to diversify their supply chains away from China, partly as a result of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports during Trump’s first term.