From PBS NewsHour.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told senators on Tuesday that there was "no particular timeline set" for tariffs negotiations, less than 24 hours before President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs were set to take effect.
Trump announced the tariffs plan last week in an event he called "Liberation Day," saying they were aimed at resolving a longtime trade deficit with partners around the world. Some Republicans have defended the tariffs, levied across dozens of countries, as a way to create leverage. Democrats, economists and other countries have blasted the plan, emphasizing deep and negative effects for U.S. consumers, as well as wider geopolitical consequences. Several economists have said the formula the White House used to develop the tariffs, which were much higher than expected, is flawed and misunderstands some key trade metrics.
The tariffs are set to begin at midnight Wednesday unless other action is taken. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., asked Greer about the timeline for negotiating with other nations. Earlier in the hearing, Greer said about 50 countries had approached the administration to do so.
Greer said "the president has indicated that he’s willing to negotiate with parties that want to pursue reciprocal trade with the United States. We don’t have any particular timeline set on that because as you pointed out, Senator, the outcome is more important than setting something artificially for us. What I can say is I’m moving as quickly as possible."
"The trade deficit has been decades in the making and it’s not going to be solved overnight," he added.
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