President-elect Trump announced a slew of appointments as his team prepares to transition to the White House next year.
The incoming president announced Jamieson Greer as his pick to serve as the next U.S. trade representative. Greer previously served as chief of staff to the trade representative during Trump’s first term, Robert Lighthizer at a time when the administration implemented tariffs on China and other nations.
In announcing Greer's nomination, Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, "therefore making it much better for American Workers."
If confirmed by the Senate, Greer would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization.
Also nominated will be Jim O’Neill to serve as the deputy secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been tapped to lead the agency.
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O'Neill, who served as principal associate deputy secretary of HHS, "will fight in unison to ensure every American, and especially our most precious resource, our children, will live long and healthy lives and, Make America Great and Healthy Again!" said Trump.
Trump also tapped Vince Haley, who served speechwriter during his campaign, to serve as director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Kevin A. Hassett to lead the White House National Economic Council.
"I am proud to announce that Vince Haley, who served as Director of Policy and Speechwriting on my Winning Campaign, will lead my Domestic Policy Agenda as Director of the Domestic Policy Council," Trump said in a statement.
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"Vince helped lead the Speechwriting Department in my First Administration, working to convey our message to the Public," he added. "Prior to joining my 2016 Campaign, he worked for twelve years in a variety of roles for Newt Gingrich, a man who I greatly respect."
Haley served as policy director and campaign manager for Gingrich's 2012 presidential campaign.
In his new role, Haley will lead Trump's domestic agenda, the incoming president said.
Economist Kevin Hassett, 62, was named director of the White House National Economic Council, bringing into Trump's administration a major advocate for tax cuts. He played a crucial role in helping design and pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Trump said.
He will also "will play an important role in helping American families recover from the inflation that was unleashed by the Biden Administration" and that together they would "renew and improve" the 2017 tax cuts, many of which are set to expire after 2025.
Hassett served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.
"He will play an important role in helping American families recover from the Inflation that was unleashed by the Biden Administration," Trump said.
Businessman John Phelan will serve as the next secretary of the Navy as well. Phelan is the co-founder of co-founded MSD Capital.
"His Record of Success speaks for itself -- A true Champion of American Enterprise and Ingenuity!" Trump said in a statement.
"John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Servicemembers, and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision," Trump said. "He will put the business of the U.S. Navy above all else."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
