Former USTR Chief of Staff Nominated for USTR Post

The nomination of Jamieson Greer, currently at King & Spalding, was announced the evening of Nov. 26.

"Jamieson played a key role during my First Term in imposing Tariffs on China and others to combat unfair Trade practices, and replacing the failed NAFTA deal with USMCA, therefore making it much better for American Workers. His efforts under the former USTR, Bob Lighthizer, a spectacular leader and person, helped spur the return of Manufacturing jobs to America, and reverse decades of disastrous Trade policies," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He said Jamieson's focus would be "reining in the Country’s massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services, and opening up Export Markets everywhere."

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, who will be the Senate Finance Committee Chairman next year, heading the committee that will recommend or reject Jamieson's nomination, issued a statement that said "Greer has extensive trade policy experience, including in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and will be a critical partner in the effort to expand market access and level the playing field for American farmers, manufacturers and service providers."

Crapo said there have been "years of inaction" on trade, and said, "the USTR now has the opportunity to negotiate real trade agreements and enforce America’s rights under existing agreements."

Current Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., also issued a statement on Trump's choice. "Donald Trump has promised to fund tax cuts for the rich with massive tariff price hikes on the products that regular families buy every day. I’m looking forward to learning how Mr. Greer plans to carry out Trump’s scheme to hike consumer prices, and how American workers and businesses will be impacted when prices go through the roof for the materials they use to manufacture Made-in-the-USA goods," he said.

National Foreign Trade Council President Jake Colvin reacted to the news, saying NFTC looks forward to working with Greer on opening foreign markets, and said, "He is a seasoned trade expert and consummate professional who will bring new energy to an agency that has a long track record of advancing the interests of American businesses and workers."

The Corn Refiners Association said they enthusiastically support the choice, and said they look forward to working with him on the USMCA review.

"We also appreciate the leadership Greer will bring as the United States navigates a challenging relationship with China and securing rules-based economic partnerships around the world," they wrote. "International trade has been critical to the success of U.S. agriculture production and agricultural manufacturing, and CRA stands ready to work with Greer and his team to ensure that success continues. "

The Coalition for a Prosperous America called Greer an outstanding choice. CPA Chairman Zach Mottl said, "His support for tariffs and his experience in enforcing trade rules will be instrumental in rebalancing trade relationships that have hurt U.S. manufacturing and agriculture for too long.”

After Greer left USTR, he testified to Congress that he believes the U.S. should either end China's most favored nation tariff rates, or at the very least, go back to an annual vote on normal trading status (see 2304190036). Earlier this year, he told the U.S. China and Security Review Commission: "We clearly need to continue on this trajectory [with China]. Increased tariff usage should be on the table" (see 2405230047).

CPA CEO Michael Stumo said, “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.”

Voices who are concerned more with export controls and other actions to restrict China's ability to overtake the U.S. in technology also praised the pick. Silverado Policy Accelerator Co-Founder Dmitri Alperovitch tweeted, "Jamieson Greer is a superb choice to lead USTR! He gets the China challenge!"