Greer and Hassett return to lead Trump’s economic agenda

President-elect Donald Trump has turned to two seasoned veterans of his first administration to bolster his economic team, signaling a focus on trade and tax policy.

On Tuesday, Trump announced the appointment of international trade lawyer Jamieson Greer as U.S. trade representative and economist Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council.

The architect of trade policy returns

Greer, who played a crucial role in implementing Trump’s trade policies in his first term, is poised to lead negotiations on international trade agreements and disputes. In a statement, Trump credited Greer with helping to impose tariffs on China and overhaul the trade deal with Canada and Mexico, “making it significantly better for American workers.”

Greer previously served as chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, a staunch critic of free trade.

In a June interview with The New York TimesGreer explained that tariffs “can particularly help support manufacturing jobs in the U.S., particularly to the extent that they eliminate an unfair trade practice.”

Trump’s renewed focus on tariffs includes a promise to impose significant levies on goods from key trading partners. His proposed measures include a 25 percent tax on products from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on goods from China.

Hassett is leading the economic recovery

Hassett, a prominent supporter of tax cuts, is expected to return to a leadership role in government.

Trump praised Hassett, saying he would “play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation unleashed by the Biden administration” and in “renewing and improving” the 2017 tax cuts help.

Hassett, 62, served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during Trump’s first term and contributed to the 2017 tax reforms. Trump previously called him a “true friend” and praised his “great work” when he left the administration in 2019.

Hassett later returned during the pandemic and has since worked as a fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

The new Trump administration faces the challenge of balancing tax cuts with deficit pressures. While the 2017 reforms reportedly boosted household incomes—median income increased by over $5,400 to $81,210 in 2019—they also contributed to growing budget deficits.

Additional dates

Tuesday’s announcements included Vince Haley as director of the Domestic Policy Council and John Phelan, a private investor and campaign donor, as Navy secretary.

Trump’s recent appointments reflect a return to trusted figures from his first term and underscore his intention to revive signature trade and tax reform policies as he prepares for his second term.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press