The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a pivotal hearing on July 31, 2025, focusing on key nominations for trade, health, and treasury positions. A significant highlight of the meeting was the commitment to strengthen U.S. intellectual property rights, particularly in the context of trade relations with China.

Ambassador Greer emphasized that protecting electoral property rights is a top priority for the administration. He outlined the administration's strategy to address concerns over digital service taxes and other trade issues that threaten U.S. intellectual property. Greer stated, "We intend to use every tool at our disposal," including Section 301 trade actions, to safeguard U.S. property rights holders from counterfeit goods and outright theft of intellectual property.

Drawing from his extensive experience in China, Greer shared insights on the challenges U.S. firms face regarding intellectual property theft. He noted that many companies often hesitate to pursue action against these practices, fearing repercussions. However, he assured the committee that the current administration is committed to confronting coercive practices head-on, rather than opting for isolated cases of prosecution.

Greer advocated for a systemic approach to trade actions, stating that previous one-off strategies had proven ineffective. Instead, he proposed a comprehensive response to address the broader issue of intellectual property theft across entire countries, rather than targeting individual cases.

This commitment to a robust and unified strategy marks a significant shift in U.S. trade policy, aiming to protect American businesses and innovation in an increasingly competitive global market. As the committee moves forward with these nominations, the implications for U.S. trade relations and intellectual property rights will be closely monitored by stakeholders across various sectors.