WASHINGTON, US – President Donald Trump’s nominee for US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, has signaled his willingness to explore universal tariffs, a key component of Trump’s trade agenda.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Greer acknowledged the concerns raised by lawmakers about the potential impact of sweeping tariffs on prices. However, he maintained that a universal tariff “is something that should be studied and considered” as a means of addressing the US trade deficit and offshoring.
Greer’s comments come in the context of a trade policy memo released on Trump’s inauguration day, which directed government agencies to submit a report on the feasibility of universal tariffs by April 1.
“We have a relatively short window of time to restructure the international trading system to better serve US interests,” Greer told the committee.
Greer, a trade lawyer and official in Trump’s first administration, would play a pivotal role in implementing the president’s trade and tariffs agenda if confirmed as US trade representative. He emphasized the need to renegotiate existing trade deals and to pursue new ones that prioritize American interests.
Greer’s confirmation hearing is expected to continue, with senators likely to press him further on his views on tariffs and other trade-related issues. The outcome of his confirmation process will have significant implications for the direction of US trade policy under the Trump administration.
