Trade Chief Says Tariffs Are Necessary in Response to Senators’ Concerns

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified in the Senate hours before a round of reciprocal tariffs on scores of countries will take effect.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testifies before the Senate Finance Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington on April 8, 2025. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

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.