US PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has named Robert Lighthizer, a former deputy trade representative during the Reagan administration, as the new US Trade Representative, to replace Michael Froman.

"He has extensive experience striking agreements that protect some of the most important sectors of our economy, and has repeatedly fought in the private sector to prevent bad deals from hurting Americans," Mr Trump said in an e-mailed statement. 

"He will do an amazing job helping turn around the failed trade policies which have robbed so many Americans of prosperity," he said.

Mr Lighthizer, a lawyer, faces the task of concluding negotiations on a Pacific trade pact that would have covered nearly 40 per cent of the global economy and was seen as a counterpoint to China's rising clout, reports Bloomberg.

As a partner at the Washington offices of law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Mr Lighthizer has been active in trade litigation, policy advice and legislative initiatives for large companies.

Mr Lighthizer has said China has engaged in unfair trade practices, in line with views held by Peter Navarro, a China critic recently appointed to hear the White House National Trade Council. 

In a 2011 article published in the Washington Times, Mr Lighthizer favoured tariffs to promote American industry.

Said Mr Lighthizer: "The icon of modern conservatism, Ronald Reagan, imposed quotas on imported steel, protected Harley-Davidson from Japanese competition, restrained import of semiconductors and automobiles, and took myriad similar steps to keep American industry strong.

"How does allowing China to constantly rig trade in its favour advance the core conservative goal of making markets more efficient? Markets do not run better when manufacturing shifts to China largely because of the actions of its government."