Jayme White Explained

Jayme White
Office:United States Deputy Trade Representative for Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, Labor, and Environment
Term Start:September 27, 2021
Term End:November 1, 2023
President:Joe Biden
Leader:Katherine Tai
Party:Democratic
Education:Georgetown University (AB, MA)
Spouse:Heather Zichal[1]

Jayme Ray White is an American public official who served as deputy United States trade representative (USTR).[2]

Career

White grew up in Seattle, Washington and moved to Washington D.C. to work for his hometown Representative Jim McDermott. He later worked for Senator Ron Wyden as his Chief Trade Advisor and led negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).[3] White worked on Capitol Hill for more than 20 years prior to joining USTR.[4]

Biden administration

On April 16, 2021, the Biden administration announced its intent to nominate White as a deputy trade representative in the Office of the United States Trade Representative for Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, Labor, and Environment.[5] Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Finance Committee on June 24, 2021. The committee reported his nomination favorably on July 13, 2021. The full United States Senate confirmed his nomination by an 80-18 vote on September 22, 2021.[6] [7] He was sworn in by Katherine Tai on September 27, 2021.

White was involved with a controversy on the influence of big technology companies such as Amazon and Google during his time at USTR.[8] Liberal group Demand Progress and Senator Elizabeth Warren authored a report on this influence where White was quoted saying to a Google lobbyist “I have no doubt I’ll ask you for some advice down the road.” [9]

White left the post on November 1, 2023.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zichal Obama's former climate czar savors 'newly fun life,' ponders next move. October 27, 2014. Governors' Wind and Solar Energy Coalition . Robin . Bravender.
  2. Web site: Senate OKs Public Policy Vet As Deputy USTR - Law360. 2021-10-04. www.law360.com. 16 April 2021 . en.
  3. Web site: Jayme White Sworn In as Deputy United States Trade Representative. 2022-01-20. United States Trade Representative. en.
  4. News: Shalal. Andrea. 2021-04-16. Biden to nominate Senate staffer White, former close aide Bianchi as deputy USTRs. en. Reuters. 2022-01-20.
  5. Web site: President Biden Announces His Intent to Nominate Eight Key Administration Leaders . The White House . 10 June 2023 . 16 April 2021.
  6. Web site: 2021-09-22. PN630 - Nomination of Jayme Ray White for Executive Office of the President, 117th Congress (2021-2022). 2022-01-20. www.congress.gov.
  7. Web site: On the Nomination (Confirmation: Jayme Ray White, of Washington, to be a Deputy U.S. Trade Representative) . US Senate . 10 June 2023.
  8. Web site: Who's Influencing U.S. Trade Policy? . 2024-04-17 . Politico . en.
  9. Web site: Big Tech’s Big Con:Rigging Digital Trade Rules to Block Antitrust Regulation. 2024-04-17 . Politico . en.
  10. Web site: USTR Announces Departure of Ambassador Jayme White . 2024-01-11 . United States Trade Representative . en.