Republicans in Congress are growing increasingly worried about the uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s trade war, with many fearing the tariffs will harm key agricultural markets and damage the economy. GOP senators from farming-heavy states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, are particularly anxious about what’s coming next.
The concern centers around retaliatory tariffs from other countries, which could devastate U.S. exports like wheat, corn, soybeans, and pork. Some lawmakers warn that the Trump administration must come up with a clear plan or face serious economic consequences.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), whose state’s farmers are already feeling the strain, says his constituents are “very concerned” about the trade war’s long-term impact. He highlighted that China’s 34% tariff on American pork means prices will rise, making U.S. products less competitive in foreign markets.
Tillis fears that if the situation isn’t resolved soon, it could lead to significant economic turmoil. “If we don’t see progress in the next 60 days, it’s going to be bad for 2025,” he warned, noting that Europe may turn to African markets instead of American exports.
Tillis, along with other Republicans, is backing a bill that would limit Trump’s tariff powers. The legislation would require Congress to approve tariffs within 60 days or have them rolled back. The White House has made it clear that Trump would veto the bill, further escalating tensions.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who represents another key agricultural state, said he’s spoken to officials about the difficulties facing Kansas farmers. He emphasized that while there’s still support for Trump, “that doesn’t pay bills,” and something needs to be done quickly to prevent more farmers from going under.
Other Republican senators are concerned about the broader economic impact, with some fearing a recession. JPMorganChase recently predicted the U.S. economy could shrink, and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said many business leaders think the U.S. is already in a recession.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) echoed the concern, saying that commodity prices are falling and “farmers are concerned about commodity prices and want a trade deal.” He added that the market’s downturn is worrying, and there’s no reassurance from the administration that things will improve.
North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer (R) voiced concerns about the direction of the trade war, saying that Republican senators are unsure if the tariffs are meant to secure better trade deals or if they’re a long-term strategy to generate revenue.
“There’s a lot of confusion,” Cramer said. “Are these tariffs forever? Are they going to replace an income tax?” He added that farmers in his state need clarity, especially with China’s importance to U.S. exports.
As Republican lawmakers push for answers, a bill led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) is gaining traction. It would require Trump to notify Congress of any new tariffs and allow lawmakers to approve or reject them. The White House, however, has threatened a veto.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a vocal critic of the tariffs, called the situation “worth the debate,” even if it doesn’t lead to any immediate action. “We have to, even if you’re supportive, question when millions of investors decided: ‘Wow, this thing is really going to screw up the economy,’” he said.
The push for more control over tariff powers has divided Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said there’s little chance the bill will pass, noting that Trump has already indicated he will veto it.
While some Republicans are trying to rein in Trump’s tariff authority, others, like Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), are preparing similar measures in the House. However, any legislation to limit Trump’s tariff powers faces an uphill battle, with GOP leaders mostly standing by the president.
“We have to give the President the latitude,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), signaling that the GOP is mostly backing Trump despite the market’s struggles.
Meanwhile, cracks are appearing in the messaging from the White House. On one hand, trade adviser Peter Navarro insisted the tariffs are permanent, but hours later, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested Trump was open to negotiations. This mixed messaging is unsettling Republicans, with Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) saying, “They’re just all over the map.”“It would be better if they would shut up.”
