The United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has stated that the 10% universal tariff on imported goods entering the United States will remain unchanged, as it helps revitalise American manufacturing.
Currently, the U.S. is in negotiations with many countries aimed at reducing additional tariffs imposed by President Trump, such as retaliatory tariffs and tariffs imposed to combat the influx of fentanyl.
Greer reiterated in an interview with financial news channel CNBC on Tuesday, May 13, that the 10% universal tariff imposed on nearly all countries by the President on April 2 will continue to be effective. He noted that Trump had promised to implement universal tariffs during his campaign and impose slightly higher tariffs on Chinese imports.
He further added that the U.S. will continue to work with trusted partners to adjust supply chains, as seen in the recent trade agreement reached with the UK. This agreement reduced automotive import tariffs and promised to protect the UK from additional tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
“We simply want to ensure we have secure supply chains and bring production back domestically as much as possible,” Greer stated. “Implementing a 10% global tariff will help reduce trade deficits, a key driver of the entire tariff program, and also facilitate business reshoring while creating fair trade conditions with our partners.”
Greer is set to hold talks with the Minister of Commerce of India on Tuesday, followed by attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministers Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, where he will engage with the South Korean Minister of Trade. The U.S. Chief Trade Negotiator recently concluded talks with Chinese officials in Switzerland over the weekend.
“As long as other parties are willing to take action, we are eager to act swiftly,” noted Greer, pointing out recent agreements with China and the UK, as well as negotiations with Switzerland.
Greer disclosed that the U.S.-China agreement reached over the weekend reduced U.S. tariffs on China from 145% to 10% for a period of 90 days, while retaining the full 20% tariff on fentanyl entering the U.S.
He mentioned that if China takes action to halt the import of fentanyl and its analogues, Trump will consider “taking a different approach.”
Furthermore, the U.S. will continue to uphold industry tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, as these sectors require increased production domestically.
“At the end of the day, this is not about encircling China or similar aims. It is about enhancing America’s competitiveness, strengthening the resilience of our supply chains, promoting domestic production, and gradually reducing trade deficits,” Greer concluded.
(Certain parts of this article were based on reporting by Reuters)