Jamieson Greer is President-elect Trump’s nominee for U.S. Trade Representative. Greer was an aide in the office during Trump’s first term and will help steer the incoming president’s trade agenda.
A graduate of the University of Virginia’s Law School, Greer was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Rep during Trump’s first term in office. The goal for the new U.S. Trade Rep will be to focus the office on reigning in the country’s massive trade deficit, defending American manufacturing, agriculture, and services, and opening up export markets everywhere.
“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,” Trump said in a statement.
Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association president and soy farmer from North Dakota said in a statement, “ASA congratulates Jamieson Greer for his nomination to serve as United States Trade Representative. Soybeans are the United States’ largest agricultural export, and USTR’s work at addressing market access and non-tariff issues is critical for continued market growth. ASA looks forward to working with Ambassador-Designate Greer on issues of importance to U.S. soybean farmers.”
The wheat industry also commented on Greer’s selection. In a statement from U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), they said “Trade deals with Japan and Mexico won by the previous Trump Administration protected crucial U.S. wheat export markets. U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers strongly support an Office of the U.S. Trade Representative actively focused on enforcement of trade rules and opening markets under Jamieson Greer. The organizations look forward to working with him and the next Agricultural Trade Negotiator on behalf of American wheat growers.”