USTR Pick Greer Says US Must Move Away From China and Find New Export Markets

President Trump’s USTR 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 bode for less export dependence on China. Greer agreed with Finance Committee senators, finding new markets is a must.

“…to make sure that our exporters, our farmers and ranchers, anyone else…service providers, manufacturers…are not totally dependent on China for their livelihood, because that could be a high-risk proposition.”

Greer committed to a more aggressive trade deal policy than his predecessor, with China still an important trading partner…tape

“My guess is, we’ll always trade with China, absent a conflagration, God forbid…but we do have to have diverse export markets for our exporters. And I think that, if we can be thoughtful in going to other countries where we see real concrete areas of advancement, we should pursue that.”

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.

Source: NAFB