Four Senate Republicans Join All Dems In Opposing Trump’s Canada Tariffs
A group of four Senate Republicans sided with Democrats in an uncommon bipartisan stand against President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
With a 51-48 vote, the Senate approved a resolution meant to prevent the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on Canadian imports. The four Republican senators who backed the measure alongside Democrats included Sens. Rand Paul—who played a key role in introducing the resolution—Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, and Lisa Murkowski, as reported by CNN.
This development underscores a rare break from Trump within the GOP-controlled Senate. It comes after the president publicly criticized the resolution and urged Republicans to reject it, the outlet noted.
Although the Senate’s decision sends a strong political message, its practical effects might be limited. House Republican leadership is not expected to take any significant action to counter Trump’s tariff policy, having previously taken steps to block similar efforts. Nevertheless, some House Democrats believe they have found a legislative route to bypass GOP leaders on the tariff issue, according to CNN.
The Democratic-led Senate initiative to challenge the administration’s trade approach had been in motion for some time and was not a direct reaction to Trump’s tariff announcement made on Wednesday. The resolution aims to overturn a national emergency declaration the Trump administration issued in February as a justification for imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. Democrats have positioned the measure as a means to counteract the tariffs, CNN added.
On Wednesday, Trump announced new tariffs of at least 10% on nearly all imported goods, with even higher rates for countries with substantial trade deficits with the U.S.
His policy marks a significant shift in America’s economic and trade strategies, aiming to revitalize domestic manufacturing and correct trade imbalances. However, critics warn that it could provoke a global trade conflict and lead to rising costs for American consumers during a crucial economic period, CNN stated.
Rep. Greg Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, revealed on Wednesday that he intends to introduce a privileged resolution compelling a House vote on tariffs. This procedural maneuver allows him to sidestep leadership and bring the issue directly to the floor for consideration.
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who led the push for a Senate vote to block the administration’s tariffs on Canadian imports, disclosed that he had spoken with McConnell the night before the vote. Kaine recounted that before he could even formally ask for support, the Kentucky senator had already pledged to back the measure, CNN reported.
“I said, I want to talk to you about my Canadian tariffs bill. And you know, I didn’t even get to the question, and he said, ‘I’m with you,’” Kaine told CNN, recalling the exchange.
During a Rose Garden event announcing the tariffs, Trump assured Americans that his decision would ultimately be seen as the right one.
“This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history. It’s our declaration of economic independence. For years, hardworking American citizens were forced to sit on the sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it at our expense,” the president said.
“This will be a very big moment,” Trump continued. “I think you’re going to remember today. It’s going to be a free nation that we’re dealing with. We’re going to have a very free and beautiful nation. It’s going to be Liberation Day in America, and it’s going to be a day that, hopefully, you’re going to look back in years to come and you’re going to say, you know, he was right.”
“This has turned out to be one of the most important days in the history of our country. God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you, everybody. Thank you very much,” Trump concluded.
On Wednesday, stock markets reacted negatively, with the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 all dropping between 2% and 3% at the start of the trading day.