US President-elect Donald Trump announced that he has chosen trade lawyer Jamieson Greer to be the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), a critical position that will shape the administration’s economic and trade strategies in his second term. Greer, a seasoned expert in trade law, is being tapped to lead the charge on the administration’s aggressive trade policies, particularly toward China and North America.
Trump highlighted Greer’s pivotal role in his first term’s major trade actions, including the high-stakes trade war with China and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which became the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). “Jamieson played a key role in the success of my first term trade policies, including standing firm in the trade war with China and making USMCA a much better deal for American workers,” Trump said in a statement.
Greer, who previously served as Chief of Staff to Robert Lighthizer, Trump’s former U.S. Trade Representative, was deeply involved in the negotiations that led to the “Phase 1” trade deal with China in 2020. Under that deal, China committed to purchasing $200 billion in U.S. goods over two years—though this target was never fully met, partly due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greer’s selection signals that Trump’s second-term trade policies will double down on confronting China, whose state-driven trade practices have long been a focus of the administration. Greer has been vocal about the need for a tougher approach to China, especially in areas like technology and manufacturing. He recently testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, advocating for more robust tariffs and export controls to protect U.S. industries. “The Chinese government’s use of trade to support its military and state-owned enterprises is a critical threat,” Greer told lawmakers, underscoring the national security risks posed by China’s growing influence in global markets.
Greer’s selection as USTR is just one part of Trump’s broader strategy to overhaul U.S. economic policy and trade relations. As the administration begins to set its course for the next four years, Greer’s role will be pivotal in shaping the future of U.S. trade policy and in ensuring that Trump’s economic vision remains a central focus of his presidency.
