In Washington, recent market shocks stemming from President Trump’s broad tariffs have stirred apprehension among Republican lawmakers, who are considering reclaiming their authority over tariff decisions. Despite their concerns and constitutional responsibilities to determine tariffs, most remain hesitant to challenge the president directly. Instead, their primary focus seems to be on propelling forward the administration’s tax and expenditure proposals, even while these tariffs threaten to inflate consumer prices and potentially drive the global economy into a downturn.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, though not a tariff supporter, has opted to trust President Trump’s intentions, viewing his announcement as a potential negotiation tactic to secure more favorable trade agreements for the U.S. “The president is fundamentally a negotiator,” remarked Republican Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming, expressing hope that the ultimate aim was tariff reduction through deal-making.
However, international players like China have already begun to retaliate with their own tariffs. President Trump, while hinting at negotiation possibilities, remained defiant on social media, asserting that his policies would remain unchanged. Amid this, Congress members are visibly uneasy about the implications of these tariffs.
A faction of Republicans, including Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, has criticized the president’s trade strategy for posing a burden on American families. McConnell, along with some of his colleagues, backed a resolution to overturn Trump’s tariffs on Canada. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson has shown little interest in bringing the resolution to a vote.
This situation has highlighted a rift among Republicans regarding trade policy. While some, like Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, are fully supportive of the tariffs, believing they will bolster U.S. manufacturing, others are calling for action against Trump’s approach. The Democrats have been vocal in their opposition, arguing that the tariffs are an ill-conceived maneuver to fund the tax cuts.
Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Amy Klobuchar have strongly condemned the tariffs, with Klobuchar warning that they’re pulling the country back to economically troubled times. Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul has been pushing for legislation requiring congressional approval for import taxes, aligning with a small but growing contingent of Republicans favoring legislative resistance.
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at requiring presidential tariffs to be justified to Congress, where they would need approval within 60 days to remain in force. This proposal has sparked some interest among Republicans, although the idea of confronting Trump head-on remains a delicate topic.
Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota agreed with the proposal but stressed the need for consensus outside politically charged debates. Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, observing Republican hesitation, suggested that many Senate members would oppose the tariffs if freed from Trump’s overpowering influence. Senator John Kennedy noted that the bill might flounder due to Senate voting protocols, offering a metaphor likening excessive tariffs to overindulging in whiskey.