Senate Finance Committee Questioned Jameson Greer on Broad Tariffs, China Compliance, USMCA and Forced Labor at USTR Hearing

The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony from Jameson Greer, President Trump's nominee for United States Trade Representative, on Oct. 12, 2025, and pressed him on whether he would consult Congress on tariff plans, enforce trade agreements with Mexico and Canada, and sustain enforcement actions against China and other trade partners.

Greer told the panel he would follow statutory consultation requirements and provide timely briefings: "Chairman Crapo, we certainly expect to follow the law to the tee with respect to consultations with Congress. I agree with you exactly that the statute directs me to report directly to the president and to you," he said. Committee members repeatedly sought commitments that Greer would keep the Finance Committee informed before major trade actions and that he would pursue enforcement where partners failed to meet their obligations.

Why it matters: Senators said the administration's recent executive orders and public statements about large, across-the-board tariffs could affect farmers, manufacturers, energy consumers and tourism and raised questions about who in the administration would set trade policy. The committee used the hearing to press Greer on specific tools USTR can use, including Section 301 investigations, dispute settlement, the annual National Trade Estimate and the USMCA's enforcement mechanisms.

Most senators opened by welcoming Greer and describing constituency-specific risks. Chairman Mike Crapo noted the statutory reporting relationship for USTR: "By statute and frankly in accordance with our constitution, our negotiator must report to Congress,…