Citigroup has acquired former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as a Senior Advisor to advise the bank and its global clients in the increasingly complex trade landscape under the new US administration. Lighthizer, who led US trade relations from 2017 to 2021, is known for his tough stance on tariffs and played a central role in shaping President Trump's trade strategy.

Already at the beginning of the year, Lighthizer took on his new role at the bank and immediately engaged in discussions with Citi customers worldwide. In particular, his insights into the challenges of international trade and the potential impacts of Trump's tariff policies are of great importance to globally operating companies. Lighthizer stated at a Citi event in London in April that he believed the international trade system had not benefited the USA sufficiently and that it was necessary to correct trade balance deficits more quickly.

He referred to Trump's conviction that he could reach a global agreement on tariffs and resolve trade imbalances – a solution that may not be easy to find. These insights come at a time when Citigroup is helping its clients prepare for the significant shifts that could be triggered by the policies of the current US administration.

Lighthizer, who also played a key role in the USMCA trade agreement that replaced NAFTA, brings valuable experience and perspective to navigate businesses in the world economy. However, he has not always agreed with Trump on trade issues, as his private concerns about the planned tariffs on Mexican products in 2019 show. Despite these differences, he remains an influential player in the U.S. trade debate.