On a bipartisan 82-14 vote, senators confirmed trade lawyer Robert Lighthizer as U.S. trade representative, helping to complete President Trump’s team of officials responsible for revamping U.S. trade agreements worldwide. The vote could open the door to renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates, who have complained for years that developing nations were unfairly subsidizing their farmers, said with Lighthizer on the job, “we can overcome trade-distorting policies and other barriers.” Farm groups have been wary of disruption of exports to major customers such as China, Canada and Mexico but also want larger access to markets overseas.
The Trump administration delayed action on NAFTA while awaiting the Senate vote on Lighthizer. But it was not clear when the White House would formally begin the renegotiation process, said Reuters. “Lighthizer’s approval came despite the objections of two Republican senators, John McCain of Arizona and Ben Sasse of Nebraska, who said they were worried Lighthizer did not appreciate NAFTA’s benefits.”