Bipartisan Senate Vote Challenges Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Canadian Imports
Bipartisan Senate Vote Challenges Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Canadian Imports
Four Republican senators join Democrats in passing a resolution to overturn Trump’s Canada tariffs as global trade tensions intensify with new tariffs on India, China, and others.
Washington DC [US], April 3: In a rare bipartisan move, a group of Republican senators joined Democrats on Wednesday to support a Senate resolution aimed at reversing President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, according to a report by The Hill.
The resolution passed narrowly in the U.S. Senate with a 51-48 vote, on the same day Trump unveiled a sweeping set of new global tariffs, including a 26% duty on imports from India.
Among the Republicans who supported the resolution were Senators Rand Paul (Kentucky), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky).
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Senator Lisa Murkowski explained her stance:
“Today, I voted to terminate the emergency declaration put in place to justify higher tariffs on Canadian imports. While not all Canadian trade practices are fair, I’m keenly aware of the negative impacts in store for Alaskan families and businesses should tariffs drive up the costs of essential goods.”
The resolution reflects growing unease in Washington over Trump’s aggressive trade strategy, particularly the escalation of the U.S.-Canada trade dispute, which Democrats say could affect up to 6.5 million jobs across the country.
Trump had previously imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico during his earlier term, citing national security concerns. Wednesday’s Senate vote was a formal challenge to that policy and an appeal for economic moderation.
🌐 Global Tariffs Announcement
On the same day, President Donald Trump also announced a 10% universal import tariff, along with higher country-specific tariffs on nations with major trade surpluses with the U.S.
Speaking at the Make America Wealthy Again event, Trump defended his policy, claiming U.S. businesses were being exploited under current trade arrangements.
“The United States charges other countries only a 2.4% tariff on motorcycles. Meanwhile, Thailand and others are charging much higher prices—like 60%. India charges 70%, Vietnam 75%, and others are even higher than that,” Trump said.
He also introduced a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles, calling trade imbalances a threat to U.S. national security.
“I don’t blame these other countries at all for this calamity. I blame former presidents and past leaders who weren’t doing their job,” Trump said. “Effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles.”
