US trade chief defends tariffs as Democrats say Trump ‘in denial’ over price hikes

Jamieson Greer denies tariffs have pushed up prices during grilling from lawmakers over cost-of-living concerns

Donald Trump’s chief trade official denied the president’s sweeping tariffs have increased prices for US families, as lawmakers challenged him over cost-of-living concerns across much of the country.

US inflation surged to a three-year high earlier this year. During a heated exchange before US senators on Wednesday, however, US trade representative Jamieson Greer appeared to claim Trump’s controversial economic agenda had not driven prices higher.