Robert Lighthizer, a staunch advocate of tariffs, has been asked to return as U.S. Trade Representative in President-elect Donald Trump's administration, according to the Financial Times on Friday, citing sources familiar with the transition team discussions.
Lighthizer was a key architect of Trump’s first-term trade policies, including the trade war with China and the renegotiation of NAFTA with Mexico and Canada. With Trump now assembling his top team following Tuesday’s election victory, Lighthizer had reportedly campaigned for a different role, such as Secretary of Commerce, the FT noted.
The Trump transition team has not yet responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Trump announced on Thursday that Susie Wiles, one of his campaign managers, would take on the role of White House Chief of Staff.
Trump’s plan for a more aggressive trade policy builds on his first-term approach, with proposed 10% tariffs on all imports and even steeper tariffs on goods from China and other countries, which could drive up consumer prices.
On Thursday, China’s top U.S. envoy cautioned that no one benefits from trade, tariff, technology, or industrial wars, highlighting the risks involved in escalating such conflicts.
