U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (C) arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 2, 2026.
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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer huddled with House Republicans on Wednesday, as lawmakers reel over President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada and plans to import beef.
“It was a good discussion, a lively discussion,” R.S.C. MP Ralph Norman said after the meeting, adding that members “expressed concerns about tariffs and Canada.”
Asked about the possibility of an escalation of the trade war with Canada, he said: “It’s not good, but they will come to a conclusion on this. I think there will be a meaningful outcome on this, but it may take some time. We all know about the midterm elections, we all know about the timeline.”
Mr. Greer’s visit to the Capitol comes as Mr. Trump’s whiplash tariff policies create new vulnerabilities for Republicans on the campaign trail. An escalating retaliatory tariff battle with Canada could hurt businesses and consumers in northern border states. Meanwhile, President Trump’s plan to lower tariffs on 300,000 tons of imported beef has caused an uproar among livestock farmers, the president’s longtime allies.
Republicans are trying to hold on to slim majorities in both chambers of Congress as voters express dissatisfaction with the cost of living, according to polls.
“Most of the questions were regional,” said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). “I’m sure the current administration is working to solve many of the problems we have, but we all know it’s affordable.”
Asked if any discussions were underway with Canada, Burchett said: “At this point it doesn’t look like there are any discussions going on.”
Most Republicans at the meeting sought to put the ball in Canada’s court to defuse the trade war, consistent with the White House’s message.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Wednesday on CNBC that Ottawa is “trying to blow it up for political reasons.”
“When you see them doing their political work in Canada, they’re just taking advantage of us. It’s really embarrassing,” Lutnick said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday blamed the Trump administration for the collapse of negotiations, saying the White House was “meme-ing” and “throwing shade” at his country as the trade war escalates.
The United States imposed 50% tariffs on a range of products in late August after trade negotiations broke down. Canada then retaliated with its own tariffs. Canada accused the United States of making unreasonable demands, and the United States argued that Canada asked for changes just before the agreement went into effect.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said after the Greer meeting that “the United States offered the best possible deal” regarding Canada. “There’s an opportunity for them to have a seat at the table.”
