Trump Taps Trade War Veteran Robert Lighthizer to Lead US Trade Policy

Robert Lighthizer is reportedly being considered for a return as United States Trade Representative following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, according to the Financial Times.

Previously, during Trump’s first term, Lighthizer served as the US Trade Representative, playing a major role in the trade dispute with China and implementing the country’s tariff strategies. He was a key figure in renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico.

Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to intensify his trade policies, proposing a 10 percent tariff on most imported goods, especially targeting products from China and other selected countries. If implemented, these tariffs could drive up costs for American consumers.

China’s ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, warned on Thursday that trade conflicts, tariffs, and tech disputes are ultimately lose-lose situations. He advocated for differences to be managed through dialogue and cooperation, viewing each nation’s success as beneficial to the other.

On that same day, Trump named Susie Wiles, one of his campaign managers, as his choice for White House chief of staff.

The Financial Times noted that it is still uncertain if Lighthizer will accept the role. Prior to his time as trade representative, Lighthizer spent 30 years at the Wall Street law firm Skadden Arps, where he worked on defending the US steel industry against Chinese imports.