WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Member of the Senate Finance Committee, today questioned U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer on the Trump Administration’s reckless trade war and tariff policies, which have arbitrarily hurt Vermont small businesses, farmers, and families. 

In the hearing, Senator Welch pushed Ambassador Greer for answers about President Trump’s new 50% tariff levied on many products from Canada—Vermont’s closest partner in trade. Senator Welch also shared stories of how the president’s economic policies and tariffs have hurt the success of Vermont businesses. Senator Welch raised the alarm about how the tariffs have created an access economy, where only those connected to the White House can get relief.

“We’re just getting hit with these tariffs, and it looks like—to some extent—if you have access to the administration, you may get an end-around and avoid them, which is really troubling to us in Vermont. We are having trouble getting the refunds…Just going through that has been really tough for us,” said Senator Welch. “I just want you to understand how tough this has been in Vermont. We really value our relationship with Canada, both emotionally, financially, and economically. The way the tariffs have changed constantly—just recently, just two days ago, the president announced new tariffs may go into effect—people just don’t know what to count on. It’s hurting us badly.”  

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks from the hearing below: 

Senator Welch is the lead sponsor of the Creating Access to Necessary American-Canadian Duty Adjustments (CANADA) Act, legislation that would exempt United States-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada. Senator Welch also cosponsors the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which seeks to restore Congress’ constitutional role in trade policy.   

Senator Welch voted against Amb. Greer’s nomination to serve as U.S. Trade Representative. During Greer’s nomination hearing in February 2025, Senator Welch pressed him for answers about the impact of Trump’s trade war on American businesses and consumers, and outlined the cost of Trump’s new proposed tariffs for Vermont industries, farmers, and families. Senator Welch has continued to demand answers from Greer on how Trump’s economic policies have created global economic chaos and harmed Americans, including leading 18 colleagues in pressing for information on how the Trump Administration’s tariffs will harm farmers across the nation.  

Earlier this month, Senator Welch urged Greer, the White House, and Canadian trade officials to come to a swift resolution on unresolved matters and to maintain the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was negotiated and signed by President Trump in his first term. 

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