WASHINGTON DC – Earlier today, the U.S. Senate approved Jamieson Greer with a 56-43 vote to lead the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
Greer, who is no stranger to rice country (see
USA Rice Daily, February 7, 2025), previously served as chief of staff under U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, and most recently was a partner on the international trade team at King & Spalding, an American multinational law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
As USTR, Greer will be responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump’s America First Trade Policy agenda, including addressing unfair and non-reciprocal foreign trade practices as well as leading the 2026 United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) review. The USTR is responsible for leading market access and trade negotiations as well as trade enforcement.
The America First Trade Policy agenda is expected to include protection and rebuilding of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
“As essential U.S. food manufacturers, we’re optimistic that these policies will extend to the U.S. rice industry and allow for recapturing of American market share following a decade of import growth by foreign rice,” said USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann. “We congratulate Ambassador Greer on his swift approval through the U.S. Senate and look forward to working closely with him to address the many unfair trade practices plaguing the U.S. rice industry while opening new market opportunities so our industry can prosper for years to come.”