Reagan-era trade attorney Robert Lighthizer was easily confirmed as President Donald Trump's US trade representative, bringing a tough protectionist approach to national policy. The Senate confirmed Lighthizer by a vote of 82 to 14 yesterday, with broad bipartisan support. <br/><br/>The 69-year-old is returning to familiar territory, having served as deputy US trade representative in the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan. Much of Trump's trade agenda has been on hold since Lighthizer's nomination in January. He will now be thrust into tense trade talks, as Trump seeks to renegotiate the longstanding North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and mulls potential tariffs and other import programs. <br/><br/>Lighthizer will also be instrumental in future bilateral or multilateral trade deals at a time when the US President has upended decades of bipartisan trade policy. He succeeds Michael Froman, who held the position under Democratic president Barack Obama.

Reagan-era trade attorney Robert Lighthizer was easily confirmed as President Donald Trump's US trade representative, bringing a tough protectionist approach to national policy. The Senate confirmed Lighthizer by a vote of 82 to 14 yesterday, with broad bipartisan support. <br/><br/>The 69-year-old is returning to familiar territory, having served as deputy US trade representative in the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan. Much of Trump's trade agenda has been on hold since Lighthizer's nomination in January. He will now be thrust into tense trade talks, as Trump seeks to renegotiate the longstanding North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and mulls potential tariffs and other import programs. <br/><br/>Lighthizer will also be instrumental in future bilateral or multilateral trade deals at a time when the US President has upended decades of bipartisan trade policy. He succeeds Michael Froman, who held the position under Democratic president Barack Obama.