Business meeting to consider the nomination of Jamieson Greer, of Maryland, to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador

Title

Committee vote on Jamieson Greer's nomination for U.S. Trade Representative

Purpose

The Senate Finance Committee met in executive session to consider the nomination of Jamieson Greer to serve as United States Trade Representative. Chairman Crapo and Ranking Member Wyden each gave statements on the nomination before the committee recessed to hold the actual vote on the Senate floor at a later, unconfirmed time. Begins at▶ 0:17:48

Who spoke

• Chair Mike Crapo (R-ID)▶ 0:17:48: Opened the executive session to consider Greer's nomination▶ 0:17:48, said Greer demonstrated he is qualified to be chief trade negotiator and responded fully to questions and questions for the record▶ 0:18:12, and stated he intends to vote in favor of the nomination while encouraging colleagues to do the same▶ 0:18:42; later closed the meeting, noting the committee would recess and reconvene to vote on the Senate floor once timing is confirmed▶ 0:24:18.

• Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member▶ 0:19:03: Criticized the Trump administration's trade agenda as producing "no results, higher costs" for American businesses and families over its first three weeks▶ 0:19:32, citing confusion over small packages from China▶ 0:20:01 and new steel and aluminum tariffs he said fail to address China flooding the market with cheap steel and aluminum▶ 0:20:24▶ 0:20:57; said he has found Greer personally friendly but believes Greer would be a "rubberstamp" for Trump trade policy and lacks confidence Greer would be included in key tariff decisions▶ 0:21:55▶ 0:23:44, estimating fully imposed tariffs would cost the average household over $1,200 a year▶ 0:22:50, and announced he will vote against the nomination▶ 0:24:14.

Key moments

• Chairman Crapo stated he is confident Greer has the experience to advocate for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and manufacturers, and that Greer is committed to consulting with Congress▶ 0:18:12▶ 0:18:42.

• Wyden said a brief ban on receiving packages from China was rolled back, with "no results" and higher costs for American families and small businesses▶ 0:20:01.

• Wyden noted President Trump imposed new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports as of the day before the hearing, and said he has supported such tariffs in the past but faulted the administration's approach for not addressing Chinese overcapacity▶ 0:20:24▶ 0:20:57.

• Wyden estimated tariffs, if fully imposed, would cost the average household over $1,200 a year and said they have already halted crucial manufacturing investment▶ 0:22:50.

• Wyden said Greer told the committee that Trump's use of tariffs to "settle scores" unrelated to trade is not something he would expect to be involved with if confirmed▶ 0:23:44.

• Wyden concluded he lacks confidence Greer would be an empowered, authoritative voice on trade policy and announced his vote against the nomination▶ 0:24:14.

• Crapo noted no other senators sought to make statements and, without objection, recessed the committee to reconvene for a floor vote at a later confirmed time▶ 0:24:18.