TAIPEI (Taiwan News) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for the nation’s top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, said the U.S. plans to promote stronger bilateral ties with Taiwan, according to a Bloomberg report Wednesday.

The nominated trade representative, who testified before the Senate Finance Committee in his confirmation hearing last week, called China a “substantial currency manipulator” and one of America’s leading trade problems.

As a former Reagan administration official, Lighthizer has been known for his critical stance against China’s trade practices.

In written responses to questions from the committee, the tough negotiator said he intends to develop “a trade and investment policy that promotes a stronger bilateral relationship with Taiwan,” according to the Bloomberg report, while calling for negotiations with Taiwan on longstanding issues like U.S. imports of beef and pork.

He also said investment from Taiwan can create jobs in the U.S. and increase economic growth and competitiveness, adding that he would develop a policy to promote foreign investment into the U.S.

During the Reagan administration, Lighthizer helped broker bilateral trade agreements as a deputy trade representative. He has in the past called for the U.S. to be more aggressive in its approach towards the World Trade Organization (WTO), and especially with regard to China.