U.S. Trade Chief Seeks Reset With Brazil as New Deals Near, Defends Targeted Tariffs

Overview

• Jamieson Greer said the U.S. wants a better commercial relationship with Brazil after a constructive call between President Trump and President Lula earlier this month.
• He expects to sign additional trade agreements in the coming weeks but ruled out eliminating tariffs for any country.
• He defended higher duties on China as a response to Chinese rare-earth export controls and said the U.S. trade deficit with China has already fallen under new policies.
• On Brazil, he linked tariffs to human-rights and free-expression concerns and to alleged persecution of U.S. technology companies, describing Brazil as a competitor in agribusiness.
• He said details of a Vietnam agreement are being finalized, pressed South Africa to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers, and noted any tariff response to Chinese purchases of Russian oil would undergo internal review and Senate consideration.