WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, EE.UU. — The virtual president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has turned to two officials with experience in navigating not only Washington, but also key issues such as income taxes and tariffs, to complete his economic team.
Trump announced Tuesday that he has chosen international trade lawyer Jamieson Greer to be his administration’s U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett to be director of the White House National Economic Council.
Although Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key positions, these elections reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely depend on restoring public confidence in the economy.
The president-elect also announced a number of other key personnel picks, including Vince Haley, who led Trump’s speechwriting department in his first term, as director of the Domestic Policy Council.
Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and other countries and replacing the trade deal with Canada and Mexico, “making it much better for American workers.”
Greer previously served as chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, Trump’s former trade representative who is deeply skeptical of free trade. Greer is currently a partner at the Washington law firm King & Spalding. Greer was not immediately available for comment.
If his appointment as trade representative is confirmed, Greer would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade agreements and disputes, as well as U.S. memberships in international trade bodies such as the WTO.
As director of the White House National Economic Council, Hassett joins the Trump administration as a leading advocate for tax cuts.
Trump said Hassett “will play an important role in helping American families recover from the inflation unleashed by the Biden administration” and that together they will “renew and enhance” the 2017 tax cuts, many of which are set to expire after 2025.
Hassett, 62, served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in Trump’s first term. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute before joining the White House in Trump’s first term in 2017.
Hassett will join a White House seeking to preserve and expand its 2017 tax cuts at a time when deficit pressures are weighing on federal borrowing costs.
He has argued that the tax cuts helped significantly increase household incomes. Inflation-adjusted median household income rose by more than $5,400 in 2019 to $81,210. But the tax cuts also came with higher budget deficits as economic gains failed to offset lost revenue, posing a challenge for the incoming Trump administration to manage the debt even as it cuts taxes and seeks to keep inflation low.
Another nomination announced Tuesday was that of private investor and art collector John Phelan, chosen to serve as secretary of the Navy. It is unclear whether Phelan, who co-founded MSD Capital, served in the Navy or Army.
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Boak reported from Nantucket, Massachusetts. Associated Press writer Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report.
**Given the potential for increased trade friction and domestic inflation mentioned, what specific policy mitigations could the incoming administration implement to minimize negative impacts on vulnerable American households?**
## World Today News Interview: Trump’s Economic Team
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing President-elect Trump’s recent appointments to key economic positions. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name], an economist specializing in trade policy, and [Guest 2 Name], a political analyst focusing on economic issues.
**Section 1: Trade Policy and International Relations**
* **Host:** Jamieson Greer, with his experience in trade law and role in the previous administration’s trade policies, has been tapped as the U.S. Trade Representative. [Guest 1], how significant is this appointment in shaping the future of U.S. trade relations, particularly with China?
* **Host:** [Guest 2], the article mentions Greer’s involvement in imposing tariffs and re-negotiating trade deals. How might these policies be perceived by America’s international partners, and what potential challenges or opportunities do you anticipate?
**Section 2: Domestic Economic Policy and Tax Cuts**
* **Host:** Kevin Hassett, a known proponent of tax cuts, is returning as Director of the White House National Economic Council. [Guest 1], given the current economic climate characterized by inflation, what are the potential ramifications of focusing on tax cuts, particularly for average American families?
* **Host:** [Guest 2], the article highlights the 2017 tax cuts as a significant achievement of the previous administration. Do you believe the incoming administration can plausibly “renew and enhance” these cuts while simultaneously addressing concerns over budget deficits and inflation? What political hurdles might they face?
**Section 3: Personnel Choices and Policy Direction**
* **Host:** This announcement includes other key personnel appointments, such as Vince Haley to the Domestic Policy Council and John Phelan as Secretary of the Navy. [Guest 2], what insights can you offer about the Trump administration’s decision-making process based on these choices? What does it tell us about their policy priorities for the next term?
* **Host:** [Guest 1], considering the mix of familiar faces and new appointees, do you anticipate a continuation of the previous administration’s economic policies, or are there signs of a shift in direction?
**Closing**
* **Host:** Thank you to both of our guests for this insightful discussion. It will certainly be interesting to see how President-elect Trump’s newly appointed economic team navigates these complex issues in the coming years. Thank you for joining us on World Today News.
**Note:**
This is just a template. Encourage your guests to elaborate, offer contrasting perspectives, and draw upon their own expertise to provide a rich and nuanced discussion on the topic. Remember to allow for ample time for each guest to respond fully and engage in a respectful dialogue.
