Washington (AFP) – US lawmakers voted Wednesday to confirm lawyer Jamieson Greer as Donald Trump’s trade envoy, rounding out the president’s top economic team with a key figure in tariff policy as the president threatens levies on friend and foe alike. Trump has unveiled a volley of tariff threats in recent weeks, including to remedy trade imbalances, boost US industry and pressure countries into stronger action on concerns like illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. Greer, as US Trade Representative, would be key to implementing Trump’s trade strategy. He was confirmed by a vote of 56-43.
The Trump administration has noted that tariffs can be a means to raise government revenue, bring more manufacturing to US shores, and tackle other countries’ trade practices. Greer, a partner at law firm King & Spalding, served as chief of staff to Trump’s top trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer during the president’s first term. He also helped to see through a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada in Trump’s first administration. The president has since announced and halted fresh tariffs on both neighbors as talks continue.
During Trump’s first term from 2017-2021, the United States introduced tariffs on billions of dollars worth of imports, notably on China but also America’s allies. In particular, Washington imposed levies on some $300 billion in Chinese goods as the world’s two biggest economies engaged in an escalating tariff war. Lighthizer emerged as a strongman in trade talks as he sought to force changes in Beijing’s economic policies. Greer, who is viewed as Lighthizer’s protege, will have a critical role in tariff policy and negotiating trade pacts.
During his confirmation hearing this month, Greer told lawmakers that a universal tariff was worth studying to see if it can reverse the direction of the US trade deficit and offshoring. In a trade policy memo Trump released on his inauguration day, the president called for reports, including recommendations on tariffs, from government agencies and the USTR. Greer has previously said as well that the United States should be a country of producers, stressing the need for America to have a “robust manufacturing base” and innovation economy. He warned it would have “little in the way of hard power to deter conflict and protect Americans” otherwise.
© 2024 AFP
