The Senate voted against President Trump’s new tariffs on Canada. The final vote was 51 to 48. Four Republicans joined all the Democrats in opposing the tariffs. The Senate rejects the tariffs. This resolution is not expected to pass in the House, but it shows strong opposition to Trump’s plan.
Trump Announces New Tariffs and Market Reacts Badly
On Wednesday, Trump announced new tariffs at the White House. He set a 10% baseline tariff for all countries, starting April 5. He also introduced extra tariffs to match other countries’ rates. These will begin on April 9. The stock market reacted quickly, with prices dropping sharply after the announcement. Even some Republican lawmakers were surprised by the new tariffs, as Trump did not share details in advance. Earlier, he had planned 25% tariffs on Canadian imports but delayed them. Now, the new tariffs will still keep the rates for Canada and Mexico at 25%.
Senators Move to Block the Emergency Declaration
The Senate resolution aimed to overturn Trump’s emergency declaration. The president had used this emergency order to impose the tariffs. He argued that Canada and Mexico were not doing enough to stop fentanyl from coming into the U.S. However, data shows that only a small amount of fentanyl enters from the northern border. Senators Tim Kaine, Amy Klobuchar, and Mark Warner introduced the bill to cancel the tariffs. Republican Senator Rand Paul also supported it. The Senate rejects Trump’s emergency declaration. Other Republicans, like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, were undecided but leaning in favor.
Kaine and Democrats Call Tariffs an Unfair Tax
Senator Tim Kaine strongly opposed the tariffs. He said they were not about stopping fentanyl but about raising money. He and other Democrats claimed Trump wanted to use the extra tariff revenue for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy. Kaine described the tariffs as an unnecessary tax on American families. The Senate rejects the tariffs because they are seen as an unfair tax. He argued that the U.S. should focus on maintaining a strong relationship with Canada instead of punishing a key ally.
Record-Long Speech Delays Senate Vote on Resolution
The Senate planned to vote on the resolution on Tuesday. However, Senator Cory Booker delayed the process by speaking for more than 25 hours in a record-breaking speech. The delay created uncertainty about whether the Democrats had enough Republican votes to pass the resolution. By early Wednesday, Kaine confirmed that Republican Senators Paul, Collins, Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell would support it. Their votes, along with every Democrat, gave the resolution enough support to pass.
Trump Fights Back but Fails to Sway Key Republicans
Trump took to social media to criticize the resolution. He urged Republicans to back his tariff plan and called the Senate bill a Democrat strategy to weaken his support. He said the House would never approve the resolution and promised to veto it if it reached his desk. Despite his efforts, Paul and other Republicans continued to oppose the tariffs. Senate rejects Trump’s tariff plan despite his efforts. Paul warned that tariffs on Canada could lead to an economic recession.
Democrats Say Tariffs Will Increase Prices for Americans
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke against the tariffs. He said they would cause prices to rise on nearly every product Americans buy. He called Trump’s tariff plan reckless and harmful to the economy. While Schumer admitted that some tariffs are fair when the U.S. is treated unfairly, he criticized Trump’s broad approach. He said the administration failed to think through the consequences of these tariffs.
Some Republicans Defend Trump’s Tariff Plan
Not all Republicans opposed the tariffs. Senate Majority Leader John Thune spoke in favor of them before the vote. He said ending Trump’s emergency declaration would send the wrong message to drug cartels. He argued that tariffs were needed to stop fentanyl trafficking. Thune urged his colleagues to reject the resolution and support Trump’s efforts.
The Fight Over Tariffs Is Not Over Yet
The Senate passed the resolution, but the battle is not over. The House is unlikely to approve it, meaning Trump’s tariffs may remain in place. Even if the House does pass the resolution, Trump has already said he will veto it. For now, businesses and consumers must prepare for price increases as the tariffs take effect. The debate over trade policies and their impact on the economy is far from settled.
