From 1979 to 1981, Macdonald was an active member of the Republican National Committee, serving on its Policy Board, Economic Affairs Council, and as cochairman of its tax subcommittee. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan named Macdonald as a Deputy U.S. Trade Representative under United States Trade RepresentativeBill Brock, and Macdonald served in this capacity until 1983, at which point he again returned to Baker & McKenzie.
Macdonald died at home on November 28, 2008, at the age of 78.[1][2]