U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC Tuesday that Americans should brace for a new wave of tariffs targeting dozens of countries, with the duties potentially arriving within days. The announcement comes as existing Trump administration tariffs expire Friday, setting up a critical week for American importers and the families who buy their products.
“We expect to see some action soon,” Greer said when pressed about a Financial Times report suggesting tariffs could drop this week. He declined to provide specifics, citing his obligation to brief Congress first, but the timing signals the administration plans to replace expiring duties with fresh ones before the weekend.
Current Tariffs Set to Expire Friday
Trump’s blanket 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 expires at 12:01 a.m. Friday. The president imposed those duties in February after the Supreme Court struck down his broader “liberation day” tariff plan. Congress appears unlikely to extend the Section 122 authority before the deadline.
Without congressional action, those tariffs disappear automatically—a rare moment when import costs on everyday goods would actually drop. But the White House has no intention of letting that happen.
Replacement Tariffs Already in the Pipeline
In early June, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative proposed new tariffs up to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries. These replacement duties would be implemented under a different legal authority, allowing the administration to maintain pressure on foreign trading partners without needing Congress to act.
The proposed tariffs would hit a wide range of consumer goods, from electronics to household items to clothing—products American families buy every week. Retailers have already begun warning that any new duties will likely be passed along to shoppers through higher prices at checkout.
For retirees on fixed incomes and working families already squeezed by inflation, the shift from 10% tariffs to potentially 12.5% tariffs means the cost relief many expected Friday won’t materialize. Instead, import-dependent prices may actually climb higher.
Greer’s comments suggest the administration will announce the new tariffs before Friday’s deadline, ensuring no gap in the trade pressure campaign Trump views as central to reshoring American manufacturing and reducing the trade deficit.
Key Points
- Trump’s 10% blanket tariff expires Friday at midnight unless replaced
- Administration ready to impose new tariffs up to 12.5% on 60 countries before deadline
- Higher import duties mean continued price pressure on groceries, clothing, and household goods
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/21/trump-trade-tariffs-greer-section-301.html – July 21, 2026
