WASHINGTON – The US Senate confirmed Jamieson Greer as the next US trade representative on Feb. 26. Greer’s confirmation went through with a 56-43 vote.

He served as chief of staff to US trade representative Robert Lighthizer in the first Trump administration and helped negotiate the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Following Greer’s confirmation, US Dairy Export Council president and chief executive officer Krysta Harden called him “a champion for American farmers and workers” and said he will bring strong leadership.

Harden said US dairy exporters face challenges as they aim to meet global demand for their products.

“From Canadian evasion of USMCA dairy commitments, to gaping dairy trade deficits with the European Union due to asymmetrical opportunities, and from baseless nontariff barriers to trade, to growing tariff disadvantages in key markets, the opportunities to make headway in support of American dairy farmers and manufacturers are plentiful,” Harden said. “Through a proactive trade agenda, we can ensure that US trade policies benefit US farmers and exporters.”

US Meat Export Federation president Dan Halstrom also congratulated Greer and said he looked forward to working with him to expand global opportunities for US beef, pork and lamb.

“Though often overlooked, significant market access improvements for US red meat were achieved under the previous Trump administration in critical markets such as Japan, China and Europe, with Ambassador Greer playing a key role at USTR,” Halstrom said.

Similarly, International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) president and CEO Michael Dykes offered congratulations and said the US dairy industry looks to capitalize on a renewed trade agenda in 2025.

“US dairy exports are performing well — topping $8.2 billion in 2024, the industry’s second-highest level ever — but we can do more,” Dykes said. “For too long, our exports to Canada have yet to fulfill the promises of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement because Canadian policies continue to prevent American exporters from filling their tariff-rate quotas. Demand remains soft in key markets such as China and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, illustrating the need for a strategic approach to trade with markets in the Asia Pacific region.”

Dykes said with new trade agreements US dairy would be able to “redefine the global dairy landscape for decades to come.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) also mentioned Greer’s previous negotiations with the US-China Phase One Agreement and the USMCA, which they think can deliver for US cattle producers.

“US beef is in strong demand around the world with exports alone adding $415 per head of cattle, and that is due to the success of effective trade policy,” said Ethan Lane, senior vice president of government affairs for NCBA. “We look forward to working with President Trump and Ambassador Greer to secure new opportunities for American cattle producers and to hold our trade partners accountable.”

Before confirmation as US trade representative, Greer worked as a partner at King & Spalding in Washington. He is also a former Air Force lawyer.