WASHINGTON — Jamieson Greer, nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the leading trade official for the United States, vowed to uphold the president’s aggressive trade stance during his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. However, he encountered resistance from some senators who expressed concern over the unpredictable nature of Trump’s trade maneuvers.
Greer emphasized that Trump’s protectionist policies, characterized by significant tariffs on foreign goods, aim to provide Americans with opportunities to secure decent-paying jobs by producing goods and services that can be sold domestically and internationally. He made these comments ahead of his confirmation hearing, underscoring that as U.S. Trade Representative, he would work alongside Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick to address one of Trump’s primary policy objectives: engaging in trade confrontations with various nations, regardless of their status as allies or rivals.
In recent days, Trump’s trade strategy has appeared erratic. Just days ago, he authorized tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, the country’s largest trading partners. However, shortly after, he granted a temporary delay of 30 days on those tariffs following concessions from the leaders of both countries aimed at curtailing the influx of undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs into the U.S.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the leading Democrat on the Finance Committee, criticized Trump’s impulsive approach, stating, “Trump governs by whim, and in trade that hurts American families.” He expressed concerns that this unpredictable tariff strategy creates significant uncertainty for American businesses and poses risks to the broader global economy.
Trump’s rationale for implementing tariffs is based on the belief that such measures will help reduce the large trade deficits faced by the U.S., shield American industries from foreign competition, repatriate manufacturing jobs, and compel other nations to make certain concessions on issues like immigration and drug trafficking.
The trade conflicts have already begun to escalate. Recently, the U.S. imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, adding to existing levies from Trump’s first term. In response, China announced its own tariffs on American products, including coal and crude oil, as well as initiated an antitrust investigation into Google. However, the implementation of these Chinese tariffs is set for next Monday, allowing room for potential negotiations between the two countries.
Earlier this week, after Trump had signed orders imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, those tariffs were postponed for 30 days. This delay came after both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum committed to additional measures to prevent illegal immigration and the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States.
Economists have raised alarms about the adverse effects of Trump’s tariffs, warning that they could disrupt trade flows and lead to increased prices for American consumers. Critics have also highlighted concerns over the unpredictable nature of Trump’s trade policies and the implications of targeting neighboring countries, rather than solely focusing on geopolitical adversaries like China.
Wyden expressed fears about Trump’s tendency to advocate for a sweeping “universal” tariff, stating that such a blanket approach could significantly harm American citizens and small businesses, alongside fueling inflationary pressures. Greer acknowledged that the idea of universal tariffs merits examination as a possible solution for addressing the significant trade deficits facing the U.S.
Greer has substantial experience in trade negotiations, having served as chief of staff for former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during Trump’s first term. In this role, he was directly involved in the contentious U.S.-China trade conflict, which resulted in both nations imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of each other’s products. He also played a crucial role in renegotiating the North American trade agreement, which led to the establishment of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a deal that is due for renewal next year.
At the Senate hearing, Greer indicated his intent to enhance the USMCA, particularly by ensuring that countries outside North America do not exploit the agreement to gain tariff-free access to the U.S. market. He also highlighted his commitment to advocating for American farmers, ensuring they receive the necessary access to both Mexican and Canadian markets.
A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Greer has also served as a military lawyer in the U.S. Air Force. Following Trump’s first term, he joined a law firm in Washington, where he represented clients in trade-related cases before various government entities.
Once a strong proponent of free trade in the post-World War II era, the U.S. has recently shifted toward protectionist policies. Trump’s initial tariffs on China marked the beginning of what is now considered the largest trade conflict since the 1930s, a trend that has continued under President Joe Biden, who has maintained many of Trump’s tariffs while introducing some new ones. Despite these actions, the U.S. trade deficit has remained persistently unresolved, with the Commerce Department reporting a significant gap reaching $918.4 billion last year, up 17% from the previous year.
