The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) recently urged the Senate to confirm Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative.
The AIA works with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Executive Office of the President to promote American competitiveness in space-systems markets and global civil aviation.
“Mr. Lighthizer’s experience as Deputy Trade Representative in the Reagan Administration negotiating bilateral international agreements will be of remarkable benefit to our nation and the aerospace and defense industry as we look to expand U.S. exports and enforce international trading obligations,” AIA President and CEO David F. Melcher said. “We look forward to working with him.”
The vote has been delayed due to a member of the Republican caucus objecting to the unanimous consent request to proceed with Lighthizer’s confirmation.
Republican Sens. Ben Sasse (R-NE) and John McCain (R-AZ) sent Lighthizer a letter stating that the United States needs a representative “who will effectively defend agriculture during trade negotiations and fight to expand agricultural export markets, not let America’s farmers and ranchers become collateral damage in a trade war.”
Lighthizer told a Senate panel earlier this year that the nation should have an “America-first trade policy.”
While Lighthizer’s confirmation moved through the Senate Finance Committee in April with no objections, he will need Democratic support if more Republicans object to this nomination.