Four GOP senators teamed up with all the Democrats. a senator proposed a resolution opposing President Donald Trump's tariffs against Canada on Wednesday.
The Senate approved the resolution with a vote of 51-48 on Wednesday following Trump’s announcement of his "Freedom Day" tariffs. series of across-the-board tariffs at 10 percent for every country.
Futures stocks nosedived. shortly after Trump’s declaration . Economists fear that imposing tariffs could lead to skyrocketing prices and might even set off a recession.
The resolution particularly zeroed in on the 25 percent tariffs imposed by Trump on products coming into Canada.
Senators Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, Mitch McConnell from Kentucky, and Susan Collins from Maine have teamed up with Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who along with Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat representing Virginia, drafted a resolution opposing Trump’s tariffs.
"They're heeding their constituents," Kaine said. The Independent It’s quite different to voice worries about terrorists; however, with this system, you have the opportunity to cast your vote against them.
Murkowski, who has occasionally broken from Trump and opposed his nominees, said before the announcement she was not sure what it would encompass.
"Do you realize they're heading out onto the field today?" she questioned. The Independent “I’m not doing it too. So hang on tightly.”
Murkowski and Collins come from states that share borders with Canada, whereas Paul is a distinctive libertarian opposed to governmental interference in market activities. This division highlighted a clear rift between staunch Trump supporters and those business-oriented Republicans inclined towards free trade and unrestricted economic activity.
Collins, who is up for re-election and has earlier expressed worry over the impact of tariffs against Canada on Maine’s economy, stated that such measures would harm her state.
"Import tariffs on items such as fertilizers will only harm Maine's potato farmers," Collins stated during a speech on the floor. Additionally, Collins mentioned that numerous people in Maine have relatives in Canada, which could negatively impact the state’s tourism sector.
"We don’t wish to deter these essential Canadian tourists from visiting Maine for their holidays since they are furious about what transpired," she stated.
However, McConnell, the ex-Senate Majority Leader who stepped down from his position as the leading Republican, issued a stronger condemnation of attempts to instigate a comprehensive trade war.
"Let there be no doubt: products manufactured in America will become costlier to produce and, eventually, pricier for consumers due to wider-ranging tariffs," he stated following his vote.
McConnell specifically stated that imposing tariffs on Canada would adversely affect Kentucky’s bourbon sector, along with its automotive and manufacturing industries. This statement was a clear contradiction to President Trump’s assertion that such tariffs would bring manufacturing jobs back to America.
Trump for his part criticized the Republicans for their lack of loyalty .
"Why are they letting fentanyl flood into our country uncontrolled and unpunished? Apart from being afflicted with what’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome, often referred to as TDS, what's wrong with these people?" Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.
However, during her address on the Senate floor, Collins stated that the majority of fentanyl entering the United States originates from Mexico.
The Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, said The Independent At a pre-vote press conference, Republicans acknowledged during their statement that the tariffs were unpopular.
"And once the American public states, 'I refuse to endorse someone, I won’t cast my vote for anyone, and I don’t wish to back anybody supporting Trump’s policies,' then changes start to occur," he explained. The Independent .
However, even those Republicans who disagreed with the resolution stated that their aim was to ensure the Trump administration would take into account every possible consequence.
"I’m anticipating the worst-case scenario, which includes potential reprisals and their impact on agricultural areas. In my specific situation, this means considering how these effects will influence market accessibility for farmers in North Carolina," Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina stated. The Independent .
Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa, who operates a corn and soybean farm, said The Independent He is concerned about the increasing price of potash, which is utilized as fertilizer for crops, and mentioned he hopes to obtain an exemption for potash since a significant portion of it originates from Canada.
Nevertheless, the majority of Republicans were against the Democratic proposal.
The House is very unlikely to take up the legislation from the Senate, considering that House Speaker Mike Johnson is a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, with numerous House Republicans backing Trump's policies as well. In last month’s session, the House approved a measure containing provisions aimed at stopping any proposal that might eliminate Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, or China.
The Independent embodies numerous principles, frequently doing so distinctively. It remains unaffiliated with any political party and forms its own judgments on contemporary matters. Throughout its existence, The Independent has consistently promoted challenging discussions and debates. Founded in 1986 to introduce a fresh perspective, it has since spearheaded initiatives addressing various topics such as the legalization of cannabis and the Final Say Brexit campaign.