Overview
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on CNBC that the government may change how steel and aluminum tariffs are applied to ease company compliance burdens, citing firms hiring extra staff to calculate duties.
- Greer defended the metals program as successful and said the underlying steel and aluminum tariffs will remain in place even if implementation is adjusted.
- Current policy includes 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and duties on derivative goods calculated by embedded metal content, a structure businesses say is complex to administer.
- The Supreme Court is weighing the legality of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, with the next opinion day set for Friday, and Greer said the administration would try to recreate the program if elements are struck down.
- Political pressure has intensified as the House voted 219-211 to end Trump's Canada emergency declaration, and the administration has already granted narrow tariff relief for certain food items such as citrus, teas and spices.