U.S. Trade Representative Greer: Tariffs on Some Nations to Rise to 15 Percent or Higher, but No New China Duties for Now

The contours of U.S. trade policy are coming into sharper focus.

Speaking on Fox Business's "Mornings with Maria" on February 25, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that the "global import tariffs" imposed on certain countries will rise from the recently implemented 10 percent level to 15 percent or higher. He did not specify which trading partners would be affected or provide additional implementation details.

The comments follow last week's Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration's so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, lacked clear statutory authorization and were therefore invalid. The administration pivoted quickly, launching on February 24 a 150-day temporary global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, with an initial rate of 10 percent. President Trump subsequently posted on social media that he would raise this rate to 15 percent.

Greer sought to clarify the boundaries of this tariff adjustment in the interview. "Right now we have a 10 percent tariff," he said. "There will be countries that are moved up to 15 percent, and there may be countries that are moved higher. I think this will comport with the type of tariffs that we've had in the past." He stressed that the administration wants to ensure tariff increases follow proper legal procedures, adding, "Every time we put a tariff in place, there are foreign stakeholders that are going to be trying to get it reduced."

China Policy: Maintaining Current Levels, Adhering to Agreements

On the question of China tariffs, Greer's message was direct.

Asked whether the administration would be willing to impose significant new duties on Chinese goods, potentially disrupting the fragile trade truce, Greer responded unequivocally: "We don't intend to raise tariffs above the levels that we have right now. We intend to strictly abide by the agreements reached with China."

He explained that President Trump's planned visit to China in the coming weeks directly influences the administration's approach to China tariffs. According to Bloomberg reporting, Greer indicated the U.S. seeks to maintain tariffs on Chinese goods within the 35 to 50 percent range, depending on the product, with "no intention to escalate from that level."

Observers widely expect President Trump to visit China in late March or early April, with discussions likely covering extension of the tariff truce and related issues.

Policy Tools Shift: Section 301 Investigations to Take Center Stage

Greer detailed how the administration intends to replace the invalidated emergency tariffs with a new tariff framework. While the 10 percent temporary tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 is now in effect, more durable arrangements will rely on trade investigations under Section 301 of the same act.

Greer described Section 301 investigations as the core mechanism for the administration's tariff replacement strategy. Investigations will target countries accused of maintaining excess capacity, using forced labor in supply chains, discriminating against U.S. technology companies, or providing subsidies for rice, seafood, and other goods.

He walked through the Section 301 process: "We will be doing public investigations. We'll put out Federal Register notices. Those are already ready to go. We'll start those investigations in the coming days and weeks and open up a public comment process." Hearings will follow, with consultations involving affected businesses and trading partners, culminating in investigation reports that calculate the alleged harm caused to the American people by unfair trade practices. If issues remain unresolved, tariffs may be imposed.

Greer emphasized that Section 301 investigations can also serve as enforcement mechanisms for trade agreements reached in recent months. Citing Indonesia as an example—which has agreed to accept 19 percent U.S. tariffs and open its markets to American goods—the U.S. will investigate Indonesia's capacity and fisheries subsidies under Section 301, compare findings against Indonesia's commitments, and determine applicable rates accordingly.

Additionally, Greer noted that Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 "remains available" for situations where specific countries discriminate against U.S. trade, allowing tariffs up to 50 percent on affected countries' goods. However, he indicated the administration's primary focus is on country-specific Section 301 investigations and Section 232 national security investigations targeting strategic industries—authorities that have proven "very court-proof."

Policy Continuity and Legal Compliance

Greer repeatedly stressed the administration's desire to maintain policy continuity regarding trade agreement implementation. Despite the Supreme Court setback, he said, this does not prevent the administration from "substantively reconstructing" its trade policy. He noted ongoing communication with trading partners to help them understand how alternative mechanisms can coexist with agreements already reached.

Regarding the specific pathway for rate increases, Greer indicated in a Bloomberg Television interview that the White House is preparing an announcement to raise temporary tariffs to 15 percent "in appropriate cases," while "accommodating" countries with which the U.S. has trade agreements. He acknowledged that fully reconstructing the Trump tariff framework in a manner consistent with existing trade agreements could take "months."

Policy Signals and Implications for Chinese Enterprises

For Chinese companies engaged in cross-border trade, Greer's remarks offer several signals worth tracking.

First, China tariffs will not escalate in the near term. The current 35 to 50 percent range will remain stable, providing relatively predictable policy expectations for pricing, inventory planning, and fulfillment over the coming months. During the window ahead of President Trump's China visit, tariff issues are effectively on hold.

Second, the global tariff landscape is being restructured. U.S. rates on certain countries will rise from 10 percent to 15 percent or higher. This means trade routes involving third-country transshipment or production diversification across multiple nations may face new cost calculations. Which countries land on the "15 percent list" will be a critical variable to track in coming weeks.

Third, Section 301 investigations are becoming normalized. Greer made clear that "most major trading partners" may eventually be subject to investigation, covering issues including excess capacity, subsidies, and digital services discrimination. Tariffs are no longer simply a rate number; they are becoming part of a broader compliance review mechanism. For enterprises enter the U.S. market, supply chain compliance auditing, origin management, and anti-subsidy risk assessment are moving from back-office functions to front-line strategy.

This is precisely where specialized digital service providers enter enterprise risk management consideration. Wenaili has long assisted cross-border enterprises in constructing closed-loop management systems integrating multi-platform order, logistics, and compliance data. As U.S. trade policy shifts from "one-time tariff imposition" to "ongoing investigations plus differentiated country management," what enterprises need is not just rate sheets and customs brokers, but data infrastructure capable of tracking policy developments in real time, assessing product classification risks, and optimizing origin configuration. Translating external policy signals into internal operational parameters will become the core competency for navigating the "new tariff normal."

Greer's interview lasted less than ten minutes, but the policy framework it articulated will materialize over coming months into concrete Federal Register notices, public comment periods, and final tariff lists. For Chinese enterprises entering or operating in the U.S. market, those ten minutes are worth replaying.