Lighthizer to Perdue, lawmakers: Agriculture ‘will be front and center’ in every trade deal

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week told Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and members of the House Agriculture Committee the Trump administration will prioritize exports of U.S. agriculture products and that “do no harm has got to be our objective” for upcoming NAFTA talks with Mexico and Canada — a renegotiation process the panel’s chairman,…

Ryan bucks White House, setting up clash on taxes

Paul Ryan and the White House are barreling toward a tax reform show-down — a face-off that’s becoming all but inevitable as the speaker continues selling a tax plan rejected by Trump officials. [RACHAEL BADE and JOSH DAWSEY] May 22nd, 2017 [Politico] At issue is a controversial pillar of the House GOP tax plan that effectively hikes…

Lighthizer, at APEC, says defending U.S. market against unfair trade is not protectionism

HANOI — U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, at his first public appearance here during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting, said the U.S. defending its own market against unfair trade practices should not be confused with protectionism — the definition of which, he claims, “is sort of migrating.” [Jenny Leonard] May 21st, 2017 [Inside…

Lighthizer, at swearing-in ceremony, promises to ‘reverse’ America’s ‘dangerous’ trade policies

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer took office on Monday promising to help President Trump “permanently” reverse what he described as America’s “dangerous” trade policies. [Jenny Leonard & Dan Dupont] May 15th, 2017 [Inside Trade] At his swearing-in ceremony, Lighthizer said he was “grateful to have been asked by the president to serve him on this very…

Lighthizer to hold NAFTA talks with Congress, attend APEC trade ministers meeting in his first week

Robert Lighthizer, slated to be sworn in as U.S. Trade Representative on Monday afternoon, will have a busy first week in office, meeting with congressional committees of jurisdiction to discuss the administration’s negotiating objectives for NAFTA and traveling to the two-day APEC trade ministers meeting in Vietnam, sources told Inside U.S. Trade. [Jenny Leonard] May 14th,…