Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump named Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary in his upcoming administration. Lutnick currently heads Cantor Fitzgerald, a brokerage and investment bank founded in 1983. Lutnick will also take over as US trade representative. Robert Lighthizer who served in the post under Trump’s first presidency, will not return as USTR.
Thank you, President Trump for your trust in me to help Make America Great Again. As the next Secretary of Commerce, I will join the best administration the US has ever seen and unleash our full economic potential. pic.twitter.com/CTr0sdH6nt
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) November 19, 2024
“I am thrilled to announce that Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, will join my administration as the US Secretary of Commerce,” Trump said. Lutnick will head the Trump administration’s tariff and trade agenda. He served as the co-chair of the Trump-Vance transition team with Linda McMahon.
Policywise, Lutnick advocates Trump’s tariffs policy as a diplomacy tool. “Tariffs are an amazing tool for the president to use — we need to protect the American worker,” he said in an interview.
Howard Lutnick’s personal connection with 9/11 terror attack
Lutnick rose to become chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald on Wall Street in 1991. He holds a degree in economics from Haverford College. Lutnick is also the largesr donor to Haverford College. Lutnick is a recipient of the Department of Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award for his contributions after the 9/11 attacks.
This is the highest civilian honour granted by the US Navy. He is a board member of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Lutnich lost his brother Gary in the 9/11 terror attacks.
Happy birthday to Gary, my spectacular brother. I lost you on 9/11, but you will be missed and loved forever. pic.twitter.com/jcRIC0QMCG
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) November 4, 2024
His firm Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 staffers in the attack. Together with his company, Lutnick has donated $180 million to September 11 victims’ families. Additionally, he has donated over $100 million to terror and disaster victims around the world.
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