Senate rejects resolution aiming to inhibit Trump's worldwide tariff implementation amidst economic upheaval.
Senate Narrowly Rejects Democratic Resolution on Global Tariffs
WASHINGTON — In a 49-49 vote on Wednesday, Senate Republicans thwarted a Democratic-led resolution aimed at halting the tariffs announced by President Donald Trump earlier this month, as both parties continue to express skepticism regarding his trade agenda.
On April 2, Trump implemented far-reaching tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners, only to reverse the decision a few days later amid a market meltdown, suspending the import taxes for 90 days. The Commerce Department later disclosed a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy from January to March, marking the first decline in three years.
The close vote took place weeks after the Senate approved a resolution that would have restricted Trump's ability to impose tariffs on Canada. That measure passed by 51-48 with the support of four Republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell, and Rand Paul of Kentucky. However, McConnell, who has been vocal in his criticism of the tariffs but remained undecided on his vote, and Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse were absent during Wednesday's vote, preventing the Democrats from securing the necessary votes for passage.
Democrats argued that their primary goal was to put Republican senators on record on the issue and to reassert congressional powers over trade policy. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution, asserted, "The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness." Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, stated that the dismal economic numbers served as a "wakeup call" to Republicans.
In an effort to avert a rebuke to Trump, GOP leadership encouraged their conference to vote against the resolution, even as many remained skeptical about the tariffs. Vice President JD Vance attended a Senate GOP luncheon with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assured senators that progress was being made in establishing trade deals with individual countries.
Collins remarked, "The close vote demonstrates that there is unease with the President's plan." She added that her concerns stemmed from a combination of Trump's plan still being in development and hearing from employers back home about the negative impact of the tariffs.
Some Republicans characterized the vote as a political stunt. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis supported separate legislation by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley that would provide Congress additional power over tariffs, but ultimately voted for the resolution. Tillis stated, "This resolution is merely a way to make a point."
Several Republicans defended the tariffs, expressing a willingness to give Trump time to address the situation. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy stated, "People are willing to give the President an opportunity to prove that the new system works." Texas Senator John Cornyn added, "Senators believe that the President's policies deserve to be tried, and we want to see if they're successful."
Despite the Democratic resolution failing to pass, the debate over the long-term economic effects of the tariffs continues to unfold. Critics fear that the tariffs could have dire consequences for both the U.S. and international economies, with potential risks of increased costs for consumers and businesses, strained trade relations, and even recession.
Associated Press writers Leah Askarinam and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
- The close vote on the Democratic resolution against global tariffs, although unsuccessful, serves as a general news topic highlighting the ongoing political debate and potential economic implications in the world economy, particularly in the business sector.
- It has been revealed that despite concerns over the tariffs' effects on the economy and businesses, a significant number of Republican senators, such as Susan Collins and John Kennedy, are willing to give President Trump time to implement and prove the success of his trade policies.
- The media, either through television, newspapers, or online platforms, is expected to continue covering the political environment and policy-and-legislation discussions as often as there are updates on the repercussions of the tariffs on the economy, businesses, and general news headlines.
