Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative, said that President Trump's reciprocal tariff policy aims to restore balance and fairness in the country's trade relationships. He made this statement in a post on X on April 14.
"For decades, our trading partners have taken advantage of the United States by imposing significantly higher tariff rates, leading to job losses and missed market opportunities," said Jameison Greer, United State Trade Representative. "President Trump is taking back our economic sovereignty by addressing trade imbalances and restoring reciprocity in our trade relationships."
On April 2, the White House announced that President Trump had declared a national emergency and imposed numerous tariffs on trading partners to "strengthen the international economic position of the United States." All tariffs would begin at 10%, with countries having trade deficits with the U.S., such as China, facing higher reciprocal tariffs.
According to a report from PBS, since Donald Trump took office in January, the United States and China have been escalating their tariff levies against each other. Both nations continue to increase tariff rates in response to one another. China is charging American goods at a rate of 125%, while the U.S. is taxing Chinese imports at 145%.
An April 2025 Harvard-Harris poll found that a majority of voters, 57%, supported a policy of reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose tariffs on American goods. The poll also indicated that two-thirds of voters believe tariffs are important for protecting American jobs, and 58% think that the United States has been taken advantage of in terms of international trade. Voters largely blame China for unfair trade practices, with 59% stating they had taken advantage of the U.S.
Greer is serving as the 20th United States Trade Representative (USTR), confirmed by the Senate in February 2025. He previously worked in the USTR's office during Donald Trump's first term as Chief of Staff to Ambassador Lighthizer. Greer holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. in International Studies from Brigham Young University.
