Crapo: Greer Capable and Qualified to be USTR
Washington, D.C.--At a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Jamieson Greer to be the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) praised Mr. Greer’s extensive trade experience and secured his commitment to expand global market access for American producers and manufacturers.
Chairman Crapo and Mr. Greer discussed agricultural exports, where Greer pledged to defend Idaho’s more-than 24,000 farms and ranches from unfair trade practices and grow global access for their products. They also discussed U.S. digital trade leadership, and the need for transparency and timely communication between USTR and Congress. Mr. Greer assured members of the Committee that he would “follow the law to a T,” adding that he is “convinced that American workers, farmers, ranchers and service providers can compete with anyone else in the world—in this market and beyond—so long as they have a level playing field.”
Crapo concluded the hearing by telling the nominee, “I think you've done a phenomenally good job. You have shown that you are completely capable and qualified for this job. I look forward to working with you and making sure that we get your nomination confirmed as soon as possible.”
Watch Chairman Crapo’s opening statement here, and the question-and-answer portion with Mr. Greer here.
On agricultural exports:
Crapo:
Agriculture is important to many Committee members and members of the Senate as a whole. Idaho's 24,000 farms and ranches produce 185 commodities, and Idaho leads the nation in potato, barley and hay production and is the third largest producer of milk and cheese. We have not opened up any new markets for our farmers in the last four years. Farmers are also concerned that they may become the target of retaliation if we use tariffs to pressure other countries to change their ways. How will you support the interests of America's farmers and ranchers once you're confirmed as our nation's chief trade negotiator?
Greer:
. . . In my view, American agricultural producers are the most competitive in the world, and they need to have markets commensurate with that competitiveness. To me, that means that we need to go and gain market access where things have been closed until now. For many decades, we have had a trading system where the United States opens its market over and over again, and others do not. In India, for example, their average bound tariff rate on agricultural products is 39 percent; in Turkey, it's 39.8 percent. These are markets where they need to open to the United States, and I think we need to use all the tools at our disposal to do so.
On digital trade:
Crapo:
We lost ground during the last Administration because we turned our back on digital trade rules, including promoting data flows, combating forced technology transfer and promoting nondiscrimination. A number of jurisdictions, including the European Union and South Korea, utilize that opportunity to advance measures that target U.S. technology companies with special requirements or taxes while accepting their domestic companies or even Chinese companies. Do you agree that ensuring U.S. technological leadership means that we need to confront these types of measures?
Greer:
Yes, Chairman, I strongly believe that we need to do that. Again, this is an area where the United States is very competitive, and I understand that we are having a domestic conversation about how to regulate digital trade and technology companies, etc. My view is that is where the conversation should be happening. We should not be outsourcing our regulation to the European Union or Brazil or anyone else, and they can't discriminate against us and won't it be tolerated.
On Congressional oversight:
Crapo:
The law states that the USTR reports directly to the President and Congress, though my colleagues and I may disagree on policy, occasionally, we are united in defending this Committee's jurisdiction. If confirmed, do you commit to provide timely and thorough briefings on trade negotiations and to share proposals with this Committee in advance of sharing them with foreign governments?
Greer:
Chairman Crapo, we certainly expect to follow the law to the T with respect to consultations with Congress. I agree with you exactly that the statute directs me to report directly to the President and to you, and that includes all of these consultation requirements, including before we approach foreign governments with serious offers that we need to come to you and talk about it so we can be on the same page.
Crapo:
Thank you, and will you also keep us apprised and consider our input with respect to USTR led investigations and reports in the January 20th America First Trade Policy Memorandum?
Greer: Yes.
On reporting trade barriers:
Crapo:
Finally, with regard to trade reporting on trade barriers. By law, the USTR is required to issue an annual report called the National Trade Estimate that identifies foreign barriers of U.S. exports of goods and service or services. The last Administration decided it would not list a barrier if the Administration agreed with the foreign government's ideology for enacting the barrier in the first place. If confirmed, this year's National Trade Estimate may be one of the very first things you review. Do you agree that the USTR report should, as statutorily required, identify the full range of discriminatory barriers to U.S. trade, regardless of what agenda or excuse our trading partners may offer?
Greer:
I agree with that, Chairman.
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