101 - The U.S. Trade Representative

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently held discussions with Canadian officials amid rising tensions over the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, known as CUSMA. On Sunday, Greer spoke by phone with Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, according to CPAC reports and ABC News coverage. LeBlanc described Greer as showing a clear desire to work collaboratively on the upcoming CUSMA review, set for this year.

The call comes as President Donald Trump threatens 100 percent tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada pursues broader trade ties with China, per statements from Prime Minister Mark Carney reported by BIV.com and Investment Executive. Carney linked the threats to negotiation positioning ahead of the mandatory CUSMA review, which replaces the old North American Free Trade Agreement. He called the process robust but not a full renegotiation.

Greer has indicated the Trump administration is considering options like splitting the three-way CUSMA pact into separate deals with Canada and Mexico, as noted in Investment Executive. This follows Canada's new strategic partnership with China, which cuts tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for eased duties on Canadian canola, pork, and seafood. LeBlanc emphasized to Greer that this narrow arrangement covers only specific sectors and aligns with CUSMA rules.

Carney downplayed the tariff rhetoric as bluster during talks in Toronto, according to Politico and ABC News. He stressed Canada has no plans for a free trade agreement with China, avoiding violations of CUSMA Article 32.10 on nonmarket economies. Canadian officials reassured their U.S. counterparts, with LeBlanc telling Greer Canada is ready to move quickly on the review.

These exchanges highlight ongoing efforts to shield North American trade from broader U.S.-China frictions, even as Trump has raised duties on Canadian steel, aluminum, and other goods outside CUSMA protections.

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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently addressed the upcoming six-year review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. According to the January 2026 issue of As the Customs and Trade World Turns newsletter from law firm ArentFox Schiff, Greer took a measured approach. He acknowledged stakeholder support for renewing the agreement while signaling that the United States will work with Mexico and Canada to decide which issues fit best under the pact or through separate bilateral deals. The review starts formally on July 1, 2026. Greer emphasized countering Chinese non-market influence, especially concerns over investment and transshipment through Mexico to avoid United States tariffs. He proposed tightening rules of origin for autos, boosting coordination on export controls and investment screening, and creating a Critical Minerals Marketplace to promote North American production and cut reliance on Chinese inputs.

Greer spoke with Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister responsible for Canada-United States trade, on Sunday, as reported by ABC News. LeBlanc clarified that Canada pursues only a narrow trade arrangement with China in a few sectors, not a full deal. This came amid tensions from President Trump's threat of 100 percent tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada advances broader ties with China. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the threats bluster tied to positioning for the review, according to BIV.com and Politico. Carney stressed it is a review, not a full renegotiation like six years ago.

Business of Information from Vancouver Island reports that Greer indicated the Trump administration considers splitting the three-way pact for separate negotiations. These steps aim to link economic and security goals, potentially reshaping key parts of the agreement even if renewed.

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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has found himself at the center of a major disagreement with President Donald Trump over Canada's recent trade deal with China. Just this past week, Greer publicly criticized Canada's decision to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, calling the agreement problematic for Canada. Speaking at a Ford factory on January 16th, Greer suggested that Canada may regret the deal in the long run, emphasizing that American tariffs exist specifically to protect American autoworkers from Chinese vehicles.

The timing is particularly notable because Greer's criticism came just hours after Trump publicly endorsed the very same agreement. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney had announced the deal during a state visit to Beijing, allowing up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into Canada annually at a 6.1 percent tariff rate, down sharply from the 100 percent duty imposed in 2024. When questioned about it at the White House, Trump said it was fine, calling it a good thing for Canada to sign a trade deal with China.

What makes Greer's position especially significant is that he was kept informed throughout the negotiations. Canada's ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, tracked the Beijing talks, and Greer was briefed after Prime Minister Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This suggests Greer's criticism was a deliberate policy statement rather than a surprise reaction.

The disagreement highlights deeper tensions within the Trump administration's trade approach. While Trump has signaled openness to Chinese companies investing in North America, particularly if they build manufacturing plants domestically, Greer appears to be taking a harder line on protecting American auto industry interests. His concerns about Chinese vehicles penetrating North American markets align with warnings from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who also stated Canada would regret bringing Chinese cars into its market.

Canada's strategy involves using this limited market access to attract Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to build production facilities within Canada, potentially creating a Canadian EV using Chinese expertise. This approach directly contradicts the protective stance Greer has publicly advocated for, suggesting the Trump administration's trade team may be divided on how to handle Chinese investment and manufacturing in North America.

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Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative, has been at the center of recent trade tensions involving Canada and South Korea. On Saturday, President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Canadian goods if Canada finalizes its trade deal with China, marking a reversal from his endorsement just eight days earlier. According to Electric Vehicles dot com, Greer criticized the Canada-China agreement as problematic during a speech at a Ford factory hours after its announcement on January 16. The deal allows up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into Canada each year at a 6.1 percent tariff, down from 100 percent in 2024. Greer warned that Ottawa may regret the move in the long run, emphasizing the need to protect American autoworkers from Chinese vehicles.

The Deep Dive reports that Greer was kept informed by Canadian officials about Prime Minister Mark Carney's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump initially praised the deal, saying it is a good thing for Canada to sign a trade agreement with China. However, Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Chinese electric vehicles spy vehicles and warned of risks to Canada's auto industry.

In other news, Greer met with South Korea's Director General Yeo Han-koo for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Korea Tech Desk states that the discussion addressed United States concerns over Korea's investigation into Coupang, a United States-listed company facing probes for data breaches and unfair business practices. Korean officials insisted the probe follows domestic law, not trade politics, amid complaints from United States investors who filed a notice of intent to arbitrate under the Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement.

These developments highlight Greer's role in navigating complex international trade disputes amid great power rivalry.

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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is in Davos, Switzerland this week attending the World Economic Forum, where he is delivering a keynote address today at the USA House at 3 PM local time. His remarks will focus on how tariffs have historically supported domestic industry and national growth, and what the evolving U.S. trade policy means for a global economic order based on fairness and national interests.

The timing of Greer's appearance comes as the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of President Trump's reciprocal tariffs potentially as early as today. These tariffs were imposed last April under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, with the administration arguing that large-scale trade deficits pose a threat to national security. Lower courts had previously ruled against the tariffs, stating that Congress holds exclusive authority over tariff policy.

According to reporting from the New York Times, Greer told the newspaper that if the Supreme Court rules against the administration, it will immediately begin implementing alternative tariffs the very next day. Greer expressed confidence in a favorable ruling, noting that President Trump will have tariffs as part of his trade policy agenda regardless. The current Supreme Court has a six to three conservative majority, which observers consider favorable to the Trump administration.

Diplomatic circles and Wall Street analysts suggest that even if the court rules the reciprocal tariffs illegal, the administration has backup options. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and Section 301 of the Trade Act grant the president authority to restrict imports on national security grounds or address unfair trade practices. These statutes are not part of the current legal proceedings and could be used to reimpose tariffs in different forms.

While at Davos, Greer is also conducting meetings with foreign counterparts and business leaders, and will participate in a World Trade Organization Ministers meeting. On Wednesday, he will participate in a fireside chat at the Axios House. His presence at the forum underscores the administration's emphasis on trade policy as a central component of its economic agenda.

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