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Donald Trump has tapped Jamieson Greer as US commerce consultant and Kevin Hassett as director of the National Economic Council, rounding out his financial crew after issuing the primary main tariff threats of his presidential transition.
Greer, an legal professional at King & Spalding in Washington, is a protégé of Robert Lighthizer, USTR throughout Trump’s first time period, who supported using tariffs and led commerce disputes with China and Europe, in addition to the renegotiation of the commerce deal NAFTA with Canada and Mexico. At the time, Greer was Lighthizer’s chief of workers.
Greer’s appointment got here after Trump on Monday threatened to impose tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on China on his first day in workplace, firing his first salvo for the reason that election in opposition to the international locations’ main buying and selling companions. United States.
On the marketing campaign path, Trump promised blanket levies of 20% on all US imports, in addition to 60% tariffs on these from China, suggesting that his second-term insurance policies might be much more protectionist and disruptive to the economic system and international markets. .
“(Greer’s) efforts below former USTR Bob Lighthizer, a spectacular chief and particular person, helped spur the return of producing jobs to America and reverse many years of disastrous commerce insurance policies,” Trump stated in an announcement asserting the appointment.
Although the USTR is accountable for commerce negotiations, it’s unclear whether or not Greer will wield the identical affect that Lighthizer had within the function.
Last week, Trump selected Howard Lutnick, co-chairman of his transition crew, as his nominee for commerce secretary. He stated Lutnick “will lead our tariff and commerce agenda, with further direct duty for the Office of the USTR,” which would go away Greer with a decreased function.
Last week, Trump additionally selected Scott Bessent as his nominee for Treasury secretary. The hedge fund supervisor can even have a key function in shaping worldwide financial coverage.
Like Bessent, Hassett is seen as a realistic selection who will likely be welcomed by Washington and Wall Street. Hassett beforehand served as president of the Council of Economic Advisors throughout Trump’s first presidential time period. At the NEC he may have the duty of coordinating financial coverage.
In his new function, Hassett, a longtime supporter of the president-elect, can even be instrumental in guiding Trump in extending tax cuts set to run out. Trump has additionally made deregulation a pillar of his financial agenda, particularly relating to the oil business.
Hassett – who beforehand labored with former President George W. Bush and Republican presidential candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney – has lengthy been a supporter of Trump’s tariff proposals and tax lower plans.
In an interview with the Financial Times in October, Hassett talked about tariffs as a negotiating instrument and argued for a powerful greenback, saying it “has been an vital a part of the worldwide economic system for a very long time.”
He additionally stated an impartial Federal Reserve was “optimistic,” suggesting it might be at odds with Trump’s curiosity in having a better say in financial coverage choices. Hassett can also be seen as a possible contender to switch Jay Powell when the Fed chair’s time period expires in May 2026.
“I feel it is vital for fiscal policymakers to grasp that if the Fed’s job is value stability, then the Fed should reply to fiscal coverage,” Hassett stated.
