East Idaho Times

U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo delivered remarks during a hearing to consider the nomination of Jamieson Greer as United States Trade Representative (USTR), with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

In his prepared statement, Crapo welcomed Greer and congratulated him on his nomination. He noted that the hearing was one of the earliest dates for such a nomination in the committee's history, emphasizing Greer's cooperation and timely responses to questions from both sides.

Crapo highlighted the significance of the role for which Greer has been nominated, stating, "Mr. Greer has been nominated by the President for an incredibly important job: America’s chief trade negotiator." He underscored that by statute and constitutionally, this position must report to Congress, specifically to the Finance Committee.

Crapo addressed recent executive orders by President Trump concerning border security and fentanyl smuggling, expressing support for securing borders and fighting trafficking. He clarified that these orders rely on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) but do not directly involve USTR.

He pointed out that tariffs have been brought into discussions about border security and emphasized that USTR should be part of conversations involving trade policy implications. Confirming Greer would allow him to participate in these discussions.

Regarding Greer's qualifications, Crapo stated, "When we look at whether Jamieson Greer will be a good negotiator for America’s trade interests...his experience and skillset indicate the answer is yes." He praised Greer's past work as Chief of Staff at USTR and his involvement in negotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Crapo criticized previous administration actions under Biden's leadership regarding international trade agreements, highlighting a lack of new agreements and enforcement issues. However, he made it clear that these failings should not be attributed to Mr. Greer.

He concluded by stating that if confirmed, he expects Mr. Greer to consult with Congress on trade matters and uphold constitutional responsibilities over international trade. Crapo expressed anticipation in hearing more from Mr. Greer about his perspectives on international trade policy.

Following Crapo's remarks, Ranking Member Wyden was recognized for his opening statements.