Name: Trade Chief Says Tariffs Are Necessary in Response to Senators' Concerns
Uploaded: 2025-04-09T05:29:57.000Z
Description: WASHINGTON—As the United States and the world await the implementation of new tariffs from the Trump administration, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer fielded questions from concerned lawmakers in both parties.

Sam Wang is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Sam covers politics on Capitol Hill, and U.S.-China relations. 

Sam Wang

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the U.S. and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

Citizens Honor Police for Their Service and Sacrifice

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

Trump ‘Projecting American Influence and Leadership’ on Iran Issue in Beijing: China Expert

Chris Bob is a reporter for NTD and a host of "Profiles of Service." He is also a small business owner. Chris graduated from Union College with a concentration in politics and religion in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Chris Bob

Senate Panel Advances Crypto Regulation Bill

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

Lawmakers Weigh ‘Sanctuary’ Polices After Woman’s Death in Virginia

Christina Corona is a California-based reporter for NTD News. She primarily covers California news, politics, and entertainment.  

Christina Corona

Bonta Announces Major Fentanyl Bust in California

Arian Pasdar is an international correspondent for NTD News based in South America. His reporting focuses on immigration and key events in Latin America.

Arian Pasdar

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper Praises Trump's Military Actions

David Lam is a national correspondent based in California and a part-time anchor for "NTD Tonight." Before joining NTD he was a financial analyst.

David Lam

Lawyers in OpenAI Trial Give Closing Arguments

Eva Fu is a New York-based writer for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S. politics, U.S.-China relations, religious freedom, and human rights. Contact Eva at eva.fu@epochtimes.com

Eva Fu

Jack Bradley is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Jack previously anchored "NTD Newsroom" and worked as an assistant producer for the show. 

Jack Bradley

China News

Organ Harvesting in China

Congressional Hearing Spotlights Forced Organ Harvesting in China

Dave Martin is NTD's Senior Sports Reporter and sports analyst. He also hosts "Data Hub" segments during NTD's special election coverage, "The Nation Decides."

Dave Martin

Report: Giants WR Nabers Had 2nd Procedure on Knee

Xavier Becerra Leads New California Governor Poll

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 14)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 12)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 11)

Don Ma is an anchor and senior business correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Don is the anchor and producer of NTD's "Business Matters," which airs weekdays at 4:30 pm ET.

Don Ma

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 10)

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 9)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

WASHINGTON—As the United States and the world await the implementation of new tariffs from the Trump administration, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer fielded questions from concerned lawmakers in both parties.

The exchanges came during Greer’s testimony before the Senate’s finance committee on April 8. He will testify again before the House Ways and Means Committee on April 9.

Greer confirmed a round of reciprocal tariffs on numerous countries was slated for April 9. It follows a 10 percent baseline tariff enacted on April 7.

In his opening testimony and exchanges with lawmakers, Greer said the tariffs and the emergency declaration are necessary because a lack of reciprocity with trading partners demanded immediate action.

While tariffs would draw in revenue, he said the measures were primarily intended to address the United States’ persistent trade deficits.

Pressed about the tariffs’ purpose by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who spearheaded bipartisan legislation intended to rein in the president’s tariff authority, Greer said the United States is “certainly seeking reciprocity” but will garner revenue too, with the results varying across countries.

He told senators that about 50 countries had approached him personally regarding the tariffs.

While Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) mostly sounded supportive of the administration’s efforts, Republicans and Democrats alike voiced worries about the measures.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), ideologically at odds on many issues, both said they were worried that businesses could go bankrupt as a result of the measures.

Johnson urged the administration to “focus on the products we actually need” when erecting barriers to trade.

“Tariffs are a double-edged sword,” he said.

Greer told Johnson that “we need to be in a situation where we have production here,” saying the relevant timescale was 100 years rather than the succeeding financial quarter.

Sen. Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said he was “baffled” by trade restrictions on countries that are friendly to the United States.

He mentioned Taiwan, which is expected to face a 32 percent tariff, and Australia, which has no exemption from the administration’s 10 percent universal tariff.

“You put a huge hit on Taiwan, where we need collaboration with the TSMC,” Warner said in reference to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

The chipmaker's growing footprint in the United States includes a $100 billion investment, one announced under the new administration.

Greer noted that Australia’s tariff was the bare minimum under Trump policies, adding that some agricultural products are effectively inaccessible in the closely allied country.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the finance committee’s ranking member, asked Greer about China, which has responded to the United States with retaliatory tariffs, saying it was a key market for his part of the country.

Greer differentiated China from other countries that have come to the United States and signaled reciprocity in response to the tariff announcements, saying he did not expect such a move from the geopolitical rival any time soon.

He specifically cited Vietnam, saying that “they beat down our door” to negotiate.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) had a similar question about American beef exports to China.

Greer told the senator that "China of course needs to take down their barriers."

Daines said he was heartened by American negotiations with Japan and South Korea, both of which are frequent destinations for beef from the United States.

This “could be absolutely a monumental moment,” he said.

In response to a question from Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) about possible workarounds for companies in the United States reliant on certain goods from abroad, Greer said exemptions were off the table, at least in the near term, describing them as “Swiss cheese” for what is meant to be a unified policy.

Senators including Lankford are concerned about the tariff timeline, saying that the instability was worsening conditions for businesses.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) asked Greer about possible trade coordination within the Western hemisphere.

Greer said such deals “need to be coupled with strong rules about third countries,” including China, to avoid arbitrage of cheaper goods from Asia through the United States’ neighborhood.

“The president wants to see factories back here,” he added.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trade-chief-says-tariffs-are-necessary-in-response-to-senators-concerns-5838644">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Latest

Videos

Politics

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

Nathan Worcester covers national politics for The Epoch Times and has also focused on energy and the environment. Nathan has written about everything from fusion energy and ESG to Biden's classified documents and international conservative politics. He lives and works in Chicago. Nathan can be reached at nathan.worcester@epochtimes.us

Nathan Worcester

Congress

Luis Eduardo Martinez is a correspondent for NTD News based in Washington. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics from the University of Westminster in London, England.

Luis Eduardo Martinez

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.