President Trump’s threat to impose steel and aluminum tariffs has some Republicans so worried that they’re considering legislation to curtail the power of the president to control trade policy.
Trump has said he would impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum, both in the name of national security. He’s legally allowed to take that step, but many Republicans worry the move would spark a trade war that brings devastating economic consequences to the United States.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced a bill in June that would shift the power to impose trade regulations back to Congress after decades of control by the executive branch. The bill would require congressional approval of all executive branch trade actions, including tariffs.
In the face of Trump’s tariff threat, Lee’s bill is suddenly being discussed, and Lee hinted Monday it could be up for discussion.
“In a government system with checks and balances, the president should not have the power to unilaterally levy or alter tariffs,” Lee said on Twitter. “Congress needs to re-engage in the tariff process, which is why I’ve introduced the Global Trade Accountability Act.”
Some lawmakers are already saying they would back legislative action if Trump does not back down on the tariffs or at least modify them.
“I would certainly support it,” said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. “We should take back some of these constitutional powers that Congress has willingly given away to all presidents. I think it’s unfortunate.”
Republican leaders say it’s too soon to threaten legislative action and suggested Tuesday it won’t be needed because Trump, they believe and hope, will modify the plan.
“I don’t think we are at a point where we need to consider that bill yet,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of the leadership team.
Still, the GOP is nervous, and many lawmakers in the House and Senate are urgently trying to convince the White House to change course.
Republican lawmakers in both chambers are bending Trump’s ear on trade in a last-ditch effort to convince him to at least narrow the tariffs to countries who dump steel and aluminum into U.S. markets or engage in other unfair trade practices. Trump’s current plan is much broader and would impose tariffs on all imports, which he says is justified to protect U.S. national security by protecting the U.S. steel and aluminum industries.
“I think the best way to characterize where most Republican senators are right now, including myself, is genuinely concerned that this not escalate into something much broader,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday.
Trump on Tuesday said he was moving ahead with the tariffs and isn’t worried about a trade war, which he said would not hurt the United States because of the massive trade deficit. But Trump seemed to hint he might modify the tariffs, telling reporters they would be implemented in a “loving, loving,” way.
Republicans hope that means a narrow approach.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, is “working on some solutions with the administration,” according to Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who has also spoken to the president.
Senators are also communicating with the president. “We are urging caution, that this could develop into something much more dramatic that could send the economy in the wrong direction,” McConnell said.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a close ally of Trump’s, said he believes the president will alter the tariff plan.
“I think it will be modified somewhat,” Hatch said Tuesday.
Hatch sent a letter to Trump expressing “every deep concerns” about the proposed tariffs. His panel oversees trade issues in the Senate.
“You have stated that you intend to target foreign countries that are not competing fairly, and I support that goal,” Hatch wrote to Trump. “But the proposed tariffs would miss those countries whose unfair trade practices have caused global overcapacities in steel and aluminum and would hit American businesses and families instead.”
