WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democrats are preparing to force two votes in the coming weeks on President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Brazil, aiming to increase pressure on Republican lawmakers who have voiced concerns over the trade measures.
Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia announced that he will introduce two bipartisan resolutions to end the national emergencies declared by Trump that were used to justify the tariffs. Earlier this year, four Republican senators joined Democrats in supporting a resolution to block tariffs on Canada, though the House of Representatives did not advance it further.
Kaine emphasized the need to hold repeated votes, stating that many lawmakers express unease privately but should be placed on record. He argued that ongoing uncertainty from tariff policies is creating significant concerns for businesses and consumers.
The resolutions are co-sponsored by a group of Democrats along with Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a long-time critic of tariffs. By invoking a decades-old law, the group is able to compel the Senate to vote on presidential emergency declarations, regardless of whether Senate leadership wishes to bring them forward. Under the law, such resolutions can be reintroduced every six months.
The timing of these votes comes as the U.S. economy faces pressure from multiple directions. The Congressional Budget Office recently noted that tariffs are among the factors contributing to inflation, slower growth, and higher unemployment forecasts. Lawmakers from states reliant on trade with Canada and Brazil, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have acknowledged concerns while continuing to support the administration’s overall trade approach.
The first resolution seeks to end tariffs on Canada that were tied to a February emergency declaration. Those tariffs were challenged in April, when four Republicans sided with Democrats in the Senate, but the measure did not advance further.
The second resolution targets 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, which were implemented under a separate emergency declaration. Brazil exports products such as oil, coffee, orange juice, iron, and steel to the U.S. According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. maintained a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year.
Supporters of the resolutions argue that continued tariffs risk raising costs for consumers and businesses, while opponents say the president should retain flexibility in trade negotiations. Democrats expect more Republicans to consider supporting the measures as economic impacts become more visible.
Kaine reiterated his plan to keep pressing the issue: “It’s not theoretical anymore. These tariffs are in effect, and they’re creating real consequences.”
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