U.S. Trade Representative Greer Outlines Administration’s Trade Strategy Amid China Deal

In a wide-ranging interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” this week, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer provided new insights into the Trump administration’s trade strategy following a breakthrough in U.S.-China trade negotiations.

The recently concluded talks in Switzerland mark what Greer described as the first step in a two-phase process with China. “By the time we got there, both sides were ready to deal,” Greer told CNBC. “The Swiss hosted us in a way that we were able to get to brass tacks really quickly and come to an agreement.”

The agreement pauses the escalating tariff war between the world’s two largest economies, bringing China into the administration’s broader trade framework that sets a baseline 10% global tariff—a key campaign promise from the president.

“The president campaigned on a 10% global tariff and somewhat higher tariffs on China. And frankly, that’s about where we are right now,” Greer explained. “That’s one promise fulfilled.”

Critics have characterized the deal as merely undoing self-inflicted damage from the administration’s initial tariff policies. Greer pushed back against this characterization, describing the tariffs as strategic leverage that brought China to the negotiating table after they were the “only one that retaliated” to the initial reciprocal tariffs imposed in April.

The agreement establishes a 90-day window for further negotiations on more complex issues, including non-tariff barriers, which Greer acknowledged are particularly challenging with China. “China is the largest challenge by far on that front. That will take time,” he said.

While details on intellectual property protections remain limited, Greer emphasized that the immediate focus was addressing “the current escalating situation, which was tantamount to an embargo, which was not sustainable for either side.”

On the critical issue of fentanyl, Greer indicated that the administration maintained its 20% tariffs related to the deadly synthetic opioid. “Essentially the outcome we’re looking for is that neither fentanyl nor its precursors come to the United States from China, either through Mexico or Canada, or directly here,” he said, describing the approach as “trust but verify.”

The trade representative also outlined an ambitious parallel negotiation strategy with multiple countries. “After I do these TV hits this morning, I’m going for my standing call with the Indian commerce minister,” Greer told CNBC, adding that he would then fly to Korea for meetings with various Asian trade ministers at APEC.

Greer highlighted the recently announced agreement in principle with the UK as evidence of the administration’s ability to move quickly with willing partners. He emphasized that his office leverages expertise across government departments to manage these simultaneous negotiations.

When asked whether the 10% global tariff would be sufficient to encourage reshoring of manufacturing to the United States, Greer pointed to the tariff as just one component of a broader economic strategy. “Once we land the tax bill, we’re going to have a very, very competitive economic footprint here in the United States. That’s going to attract investment,” he said.

Greer rejected the characterization that the administration’s trade strategy is primarily about building a coalition against China. “The president’s tariff program is a global program,” he said, noting large trade deficits with allies like the European Union and Japan. “This is not about encircling China or anything like that. It’s about making America more competitive, making our supply chains more resilient, getting domestic production here and getting the trade deficit down over time.”

According to CNBC, the trade representative acknowledged the demanding schedule of international negotiations, admitting he typically gets only “4 to 5 hours” of sleep while managing the administration’s ambitious trade agenda.