In announcing the nomination, Trump said Lutnick would “lead our tariff and trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of United States Trade Representative”. It was not immediately clear whether Lutnick would lead USTR.
Lutnick, CEO of the financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald, had previously been reported as a top contender for the role of treasury secretary, mentioned alongside hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent.
Among those said to have been in contention for Commerce chief were Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative during Trump’s first term, and Linda McMahon, a former chief of the US Small Business Administration.
Well-known on Wall Street for his nearly 30-year career at Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team.
