President-elect Donald Trump has selected trade lawyer Jamieson Greer to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
Greer previously served as chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, Trump’s USTR during his first term.
He will hold one of the most influential cabinet seats when it comes to the future of North American agriculture, alongside U.S. Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins.
“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,” wrote Trump, announcing his USTR pick on Tuesday.
“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,” the president-elect continued.
Greer is known as a protegé of Lighthizer, who has long advocated for tariffs and policies aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and securing domestic manufacturing jobs.
According to Trump, Greer’s focus as USTR will include “reining in the Country’s massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services, and opening up Export Markets everywhere.”
It’s unclear where Lighthizer himself will land in the new Trump administration. He remains very influential on trade policy in Trump’s circle, but the former USTR was passed over on multiple cabinet appointments, including USTR, commerce secretary, and treasury secretary.
Greer’s appointment came within hours of Trump announcing a plan to charge American importers a 25 per cent tariff on all products entering from Canada and Mexico after his inauguration on January 20th, unless those countries take unspecified actions to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S.
If confirmed, the new USTR will also lead the American team in the upcoming renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal that is up for review in 2026.
