The Trump administration’s chief trade representative defended the president’s tariff policies during a Wednesday appearance before the Senate Finance Committee, asserting that the measures had not contributed to increased prices for American consumers.
Jamieson Greer stated that core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, had declined to 2.6% year-over-year, characterizing the figure as evidence the administration’s economic agenda had not driven inflation upward. However, Democratic lawmakers challenged this assessment, presenting alternative data on cost pressures facing households. Senator Elizabeth Warren referenced an estimate based on nonpartisan congressional budget office figures and treasury department data suggesting families faced an average of $1,700 in additional tariff costs since Trump resumed office. Senator Raphael Warnock argued that studies and common observation demonstrated tariffs had raised prices, stating that “everybody sees it, we’re feeling it.”
The hearing occurred at a significant juncture for Trump’s tariff policy. The US Supreme Court ruled in February that many of the administration’s tariffs were illegal, forcing the administration to replace them with a 10% tariff on much of the world. That regime was scheduled to expire on Friday, with Trump officials indicating they would introduce another round of duties on imports.
Warnock pressed Greer on whether the administration had produced peer-reviewed research contradicting findings that tariffs contributed to inflation, asking if the rebuttal was “just based on vibes, people’s feelings, politics.” Greer responded by discussing price movements in specific products before being interrupted when he did not directly address the question. Warnock reiterated his position that tariffs had increased prices compared to the administration’s initial entry into office.
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