Former trade chief might return with bold economic plan for next presidency
Ex-trade representative **Robert Lighthizer** could get key position in potential new administration. His strict trade policies and plans for economic separation from China might reshape global markets
Robert Lighthizer‚ who made big changes in US trade rules about 4 years ago‚ might get an important job if theres another Trump presidency. During his time as trade boss‚ he changed how America dealt with other countries — putting lots of taxes on goods coming from both friends and rivals (which was different from the old way of doing things)
His ideas became so popular that even the current government kept using them: Bidenʼs team actually made the rules even stronger. Now thereʼs talk that Lighthizer could become treasury chief next year — which means heʼd have power over more than just trade deals
In his book from last year about trade rules and helping US workers‚ Lighthizer wrote about his big idea: completely splitting Americas economy from Chinaʼs. This plan would make the old trade limits look small; it would change how companies work with China and affect business around the world. His view on free-trade isnt the usual one — he thinks its never really free and always has hidden costs
The way Lighthizer sees things‚ America needs to be tough on trade: putting up walls against other countries goods‚ making sure US workers dont lose jobs‚ and keeping China from getting too much control. If he gets power again — either running trade or the treasury — lots of people think heʼll push these ideas even harder than before
