U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade representative, Jamieson Greer, defended the decision to impose new tariffs of 50 percent on various Canadian products as part of a strategy to address the U.S. trade deficit. Greer emphasized the urgency of the trade deficit, which reached $1.2 trillion in 2025, labeling it a “national emergency” during a Senate finance committee hearing. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to utilizing tariffs and negotiating deals to bolster the re-industrialization of the U.S. economy, safeguard American workers, raise wages, and reduce the trade deficit.
Greer clarified that the tariffs on Canadian goods, spanning from plywood to milk, were planned over time and are specifically tailored to counter Canadian trade actions affecting U.S. alcohol, dairy, and auto industries. Despite efforts to resolve these issues with Canada over the past year, Greer stated that the necessity to escalate the situation arose due to continued Canadian actions.
During the committee hearing, Democratic senators raised concerns about the tariffs set to take effect on August 19, impacting approximately $20 billion worth of Canada’s annual exports. Greer, addressing inquiries about the renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), expressed optimism about securing potential deals with Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Sen. Ron Wyden criticized the administration for its tariff approach, highlighting disparities in treatment between Canada and China. Greer refuted claims that Canada was being unfairly targeted, stating that only a limited number of Canadian products would face higher tariffs than Chinese imports.
Greer dismissed worries from Democratic senators regarding potential negative repercussions on U.S. farmers and exporters in Canadian markets, asserting that there were no indications of Canadian retaliation. He confirmed discussions with his Canadian counterpart, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, following conversations between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump, where both leaders agreed to intensify trade negotiations.