United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the new tariff measures imposed by President Donald Trump on 60 trading partners at rates of 10% or 12.5% are unlikely to have an economic impact different from what has already occurred. The rates are similar to previously applied tariffs and cover fewer countries compared to the expired temporary 10% tariff. Although the USTR noted that the measures will cover 99.4% of goods imported into the United States, Greer said he does not think they will affect the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision this week. He added that the USTR is continuing another tariff investigation under Section 301, targeting excess capacity in 16 major trading partners, including China, Vietnam, Mexico, the European Union, and Thailand. The United States has alleged that Thailand’s capacity utilization is below 60% in the automotive and parts, rubber and rubber products, and machinery and equipment industries. The Thai team, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supajee Suthamphan, has clarified that capacity utilization rates in all three industries are around 75% to 95%, and that the government has not provided substantial investment subsidies to the private sector as alleged.