President Trump’s United States Trade Representative pick, Jamieson Greer, says the US must become less reliant on China for its farm and other exports. China remains among the top three export markets for US farm goods, but its tariff and non-tariff barriers and unpredictable relations with the US create uncertainty. Greer agreed with Finance Committee senators, saying that finding new markets is a must.
Greer says China is still an important trading partner but also says that he will be more aggressive with trade deal policy than his predecessor.
Greer earlier recommended new market-opening trade deals with the U.K., India, Kenya and the Philippines.
A protégé of Trump’s first-term USTR Robert Lighthizer, Greer was deeply involved in the “phase one” trade deal with China and with Canada and Mexico on USMCA.
