US Trade Representative says Washington open to metals tariffs adjustments

ISTANBUL

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that adjustments could be made to steel and aluminum tariffs for compliance purposes, but these tariffs would remain in effect.

“You may want to sometimes adjust the way some of the tariffs are applied for compliance purposes,” Greer said on CNBC television.

"We’ve heard stories of companies that have had to hire extra people for compliance. We’re not trying to have people do so much bean counting they’re not running their company correctly," he said.

Greer referred to the underlying metals tariffs as "very successful" in stimulating the home industry and said they will be maintained.

“Clearly, those are going the right direction. They’re going to stay in place,” he said.

He argued that the tariffs imposed by the US have led other countries to remove their customs duties and trade barriers, increased exports, and decreased inflation, stating that the tariffs have been "incredibly successful."

US President Donald Trump last year imposed a 50% levy on foreign steel and aluminum, a move that officials said was meant to take aim at Chinese overcapacity.

Subsequently, the administration increased the tariffs on so-called derivative items that contained the metals, making it difficult for businesses to determine what proportion of the content in the goods they imported came from other countries.