US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, 22 July that the US-China bilateral goods trade deficit had dropped to $200 billion in 2025 — its lowest level since 2005 — crediting President Donald Trump's tariff-driven trade strategy for reshaping American import patterns and boosting domestic production. China's share of total US imports also fell to roughly 9%, the lowest since Beijing joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

Key Claims Before the Senate

Greer argued that the administration's approach had not curtailed overall American trade but had altered its composition. 'The United States has not stopped trading with the world, but the composition of that trade has changed in a way that benefits Americans,' he said. 'We're selling more to the world than ever before because of our increased capacity to produce, and our imports are increasingly the type of goods that help us produce even more here in America.'

He further claimed that American goods and services exports reached record levels between February and May 2025, directly contradicting projections that broad tariffs would suppress trade volumes. 'Everyone said trade would collapse. We've never exported as much as we are now,' Greer said.

Tariff Architecture on Chinese Goods

When pressed by Senator Ron Wyden on why Canada could soon face higher tariffs than China on certain product lines, Greer maintained that Beijing still confronts far steeper overall duties. He cited 100% tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, duties of roughly 45–50% on most Chinese goods, and steel and aluminium tariffs 'well over 50%, some in triple digits.' The administration has also pursued what it describes as a reciprocal trade strategy, reportedly concluding 19 framework or reciprocal trade deals covering 32% of global gross domestic product.

Critical Minerals: Flow Continues, Pace Falls Short

China's dominance in critical minerals emerged as a pointed topic during the hearing. Greer acknowledged that while Beijing had committed to expediting export control approvals for US companies, supplies were not arriving at the pace Washington desired. 'We are getting a flow of critical minerals from China. It's not as much as we would want. It's not at the pace we would want, but we are getting them. We're getting the majority of what we need,' he said.

He added that the administration was simultaneously accelerating domestic critical minerals production to reduce long-term dependence on Chinese supply chains — a structural goal that goes beyond the current tariff regime.

Accusations of Strategic 'Weaponisation'

Greer accused Beijing of deploying export controls — particularly on fertilisers — as instruments of geopolitical leverage. 'They like to weaponise these types of things,' he said. 'They have their own goals, which are not the goals of capitalists or free marketeers. They are goals to have their own supply chain. They want to control fertiliser for their own use. They'll weaponise it at will.'

This comes amid a broader strategic competition between the two countries that now extends well beyond trade to advanced technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, and military influence across the Indo-Pacific. Despite years of tariffs, export controls, and technology restrictions imposed by successive US administrations, China remains one of America's largest trading partners.

What Comes Next

The deficit data and Greer's testimony will likely intensify congressional scrutiny of whether tariff-driven trade policy can be sustained without triggering retaliatory escalation from Beijing. Analysts and industry groups will be watching whether the record export figures hold through the second half of 2025, and whether domestic critical minerals output can meaningfully offset Chinese supply constraints in the near term.