Could trade war tariffs architect become Trump’s pick for US Trade Rep?

The man behind the trade war tariffs between the United States and China, Robert Lighthizer, reportedly has been appointed to serve as the US Trade Representative once again in Trump’s upcoming government. He is an ardent supporter of tariffs as a powerful instrument to combat foreign subsidies and support American businesses. Lighthizer has been involved in the tariff discussion since he left his position at the end of Trump’s first term. He published a book last year entitled “No Free Trade”, which makes the case for intensifying the tariff wars and trade disputes that defined the Trump administration.

In the book, 77-year-old Lighthizer advocates for “strategic decoupling” from China, suggesting a bigger break with the world’s second-largest economy compared to the “de-risking” measures pushed by US President Joe Biden. The goal, he said, should be the elimination of trade deficit with China by repealing its normal trade status, in addition to more tariffs.

Lighthizer has also sparred with the Wall Street Journal’s criticism of tariffs. Last month, he said an editorial in the newspaper claimed that American economic growth in the second half of the 19th century occurred during times of falling tariffs, relied on selective data choices, and had “fanciful views on US economic history.”

Lighthizer is at odds with some economists, such as the Peterson Institute for International Economics, which warned in September that Trump’s plans would lead to weaker economic growth, higher inflation, and job losses. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said Trump’s fiscal proposals, including the tariffs, could add twice as much to the national debt compared to plans under Vice-President Kamala Harris, who conceded defeat in the US presidential election this week.