By Tatiana Bautzer and Niket Nishant

(Reuters) -Citigroup has hired former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as a senior adviser on global trade, the bank said in a statement.

"Given our global presence, having Ambassador Lighthizer’s insights into the dynamics facing global trade is very valuable to us and our clients," a Citi spokesperson said.

The ambassador will not be a full time employee, the spokesperson added. Lighthizer met recently with groups of Citi clients and discussed U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration tariff strategy and potential trade deals.

The Wall Street Journal reported Lighthizer’s hiring earlier on Thursday.

During Trump’s first term, Lighthizer played a crucial role in the imposition of hefty tariffs on Chinese imports and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, with Mexico and Canada.

Corporations are increasingly turning to advisers to seek guidance on how to navigate the economic uncertainty triggered by Trump’s tariffs, which have disrupted long-established global trade norms.