Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford ripped Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, as news of the reversal broke.
President Donald Trump’s trade ambassador faced the wrath of a Democratic congressman while giving testimony to lawmakers just as the president announced a huge reversal in his tariffs policy.
Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, was appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday at the same moment Trump took to Truth Social to announce, just hours after high tariffs went into effect, that the import taxes would actually be lowered to 10% for most countries over the next 90 days.
Greer did not mention any potential pause while answering questions for more than two hours before the reversal, which prompted a furious reaction from Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.).
“Are you aware that the tariffs have been paused?” Horsford asked.
“I am, yes,” Greer said. “I understood the decision was made a few minutes ago.”
Growing angry, Horsford suggested the decision was made without Greer being in the room. The lawmaker added, “WTF! Who’s in charge?”
“The president of the United States is in charge,” Greer replied.
Horsford hit out at the Trump administration’s “amateur hour” approach to global economics.
“It looks like your boss just pulled the rug out from under you and paused the tariffs ― the taxes ― on the American people,” Horsford said before questioning whether the announcement amid stock market volatility represented “market manipulation.”
“What billionaire just got richer?” Horsford continued.
Trump posted “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” shortly before announcing his decision. Greer denied the suggestion of market manipulation.
Trump paused his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on most of the U.S.’s biggest trading partners but maintained his 10% tariff on nearly all global imports. China was a huge exception, with tariffs going up to 125% on its products.
At the hearing, Horsford claimed Trump “blinked.”
Source: Huff Post
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