Greer Defends 50% Tariffs on $20 Billion of Canadian Goods as U.S. Targets $1.2 Trillion Deficit
Updated
Updated · CBC Sports · Jul 22
Greer Defends 50% Tariffs on $20 Billion of Canadian Goods as U.S. Targets $1.2 Trillion Deficit
3 articles · Updated · CBC Sports · Jul 22
Summary
Aug. 19 tariffs covering about $20 billion of Canadian exports were defended by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who said the 50% duties had been in preparation for some time.
Greer told senators the move is meant to shrink a $1.2 trillion 2025 U.S. trade deficit and answer Canadian measures affecting U.S. alcohol, dairy and auto sectors.
Democratic senators challenged the policy, with Ron Wyden saying Canada was hit harder than China, but Greer said only a small handful of Canadian products face higher tariffs than Chinese goods.
Greer also said he wants "options" for possible arrangements with Canada and Mexico by year-end under the broader CUSMA-USMCA renegotiation, while adding his Canadian counterpart had not threatened retaliation.