Senate Finance Committee Approves Trump's Trade Negotiator Choice
WASHINGTON - The Senate Finance Committee gave President Donald Trump's choice to lead U.S. trade negotiations the green light on Wednesday, mostly along party lines.
Jamieson Greer, a lawyer and trade official during Trump's first term, won the panel's approval by a 15-12 vote. All Republicans on the committee voted in favor of Greer, except for Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
Greer will now head to the full Senate for confirmation as the U.S. Trade Representative. He will oversee Trump's trade policies, working alongside Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick.
The vote took place amid Trump's ongoing trade disputes with other countries. He has already imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese imports and plans to implement a similar tariff on foreign steel and aluminum on March 12.
Economists warn that Trump's tariffs could increase prices and lead to inflation, while provoking retaliation from other nations. Trump, however, believes they will generate revenue, protect American industries, and pressure other countries to make concessions.
Greer, a former Air Force lawyer, served as chief of staff to former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during Trump's first term. In that role, he was involved in trade talks with China and helped negotiate the USMCA agreement, a revamped version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
While some Democrats on the committee supported Greer's nomination, others criticized Trump's trade policies. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) described them as a "swampy mess" and called Greer a "rubber stamp for Trump trade chaos."