Jamieson Greer’s nomination as the next US trade representative, having been described by president-elect Donald Trump as a key figure in the first trade war with China, is expected to lead to a hard line taken in trade relations between the world’s two largest economies.
The protégé of Robert Lighthizer, a protectionist who served as trade representative during Trump’s first term, would focus on “reining in the country’s massive trade deficit”, said Trump on Tuesday as he vowed harsh policies on China.
International trade lawyer Greer, who was chief of staff to Lighthizer, will assume the role pending Senate confirmation as the new administration is anticipated to seek aggressive tariff increases.
“As a mentee of Lighthizer, Greer’s stance might be similar,” said Xu Tianchen, a senior China economist with The Economist Intelligence Unit.
“Don’t expect him to be kinder than Lighthizer – he will continue to take a hard line on China and actively push for tariffs.”
Trade ties between the US and China would be on a tighter rope with Greer’s appointment, said He Weiwen, a senior fellow with the Centre for China and Globalisation, a Beijing-based think tank.
