"Other prominent TPP supporters nominated to join the Trump administration include:
Gen. James Mattis -- TPP supporter named Secretary of Defense
Gov. Rick Perry -- TPP supporter named Secretary of Energy
Rep. Ryan Zinke -- Supporter of Fast Track for TPP named Secretary of Interior
Rep. Tom Price -- Supporter of Fast Track for TPP named Secretary of Health & Human Services
Dr. Ben Carson -- TPP supporter named Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Elaine Chao -- TPP supporter named Secretary of Transportation
Mike Pompeo -- TPP supporter named CIA Director
Scott Paul: "A Great Pick"
Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), issued a statement saying,
"Robert Lighthizer is a great pick for U.S. Trade Representative. I am hopeful he will use his new role to continue to stand up for American workers and manufacturers who have been hurt by unfair trade.
"Mr. Lighthizer fought to secure antidumping and countervailing duties against foreign companies who were flouting U.S. trade law. This leveled the playing field for U.S. workers and saved middle class jobs. He also worked to open overseas markets for U.S. companies and served as a deputy U.S. trade representative during the Reagan administration -- experience that will serve him well in his new role.
"Mr. Lighthizer's selection as USTR -- as well as that of Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross and Peter Navarro, the director of the new White House National Trade Council -- is hopefully a signal that the incoming Trump administration intends to take on trade cheats like China, but the proof is always in the policy."
Friends of the Earth: Lighthizer No Friend Of The Earth
Friends of the Earth Senior Trade Analyst Bill Waren isn't so sure this is a good nomination:
"Trump's selection of Robert Lighthizer, a corporate lawyer and Republican political operative, to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative is another example of the revolving door between corporate lobby shops on K Street and the White House staff. Nothing in Lighthizer's background suggests that he has any concern about the environmental and climate havoc resulting from trade deals like the pending Trade in Services Agreement. To the contrary, his clients include big oil, corporate agriculture, big pharma, and the insurance industry.
"Lighthizer might be described as a paleo-conservative, in other words a throwback to another era. He is an admirer of the isolationist Robert A. Taft and the racist Jesse Helms. He will fit right in to the xenophobic culture of the Trump administration."
We'll See
Trumps appointments have been sending mixed signals and Trump has been giving the public very little information on what to expect from his administration (and refusing to hold press conferences). But at least so far his trade appointments give the appearance of lining up with his campaign promises.
But watch out for this: Trump Trade Position Is Opposite Of What People Think It Is.
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