Four Republican senators joined Democrats on Wednesday to support a resolution aimed at undoing President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada, delivering an embarrassing blow to Trump’s trade policies.
Though the resolution does not have the power of law, its 51-48 approval is significant, coming on the same day Trump announced new tariffs, including a 10 percent tariff on all imports, as well as higher tariffs on imports from the European Union, China, Vietnam, and Japan.
The four Republicans who voted in favor were Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (Ky.).
These senators expressed disapproval of Trump’s tariffs on Canada just hours after the president unveiled his new tariff plans. Collins explained that she was concerned about Trump’s decision to impose high tariffs on U.S. allies like Canada.
“In general, one of my biggest concerns is we should be distinguishing between allies and our adversaries and not treating them the same way,” she said.
McConnell echoed this sentiment, stating, “With so much at stake globally, the last thing we need is to pick fights with the very friends with whom we should be working with to protect against China’s predatory and unfair trade practices.”
Murkowski said she voted based on what was best for Alaska, noting that many of her constituents were worried about price increases due to the tariffs.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had urged Republicans to oppose the resolution, arguing it was a political move by Democrats to embarrass Trump. He defended the tariff against Canada, saying it was necessary to encourage Canadian authorities to address drug smuggling at the northern border, especially the flow of fentanyl.
Democrats, on the other hand, presented the resolution as an effort to stop Trump from escalating his trade war with Canada, one of the U.S.’s biggest trading partners. They warned that Trump’s tariffs could harm 6.5 million American jobs.
Trump criticized Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) for sponsoring the resolution, calling it an effort to stop tariffs on fentanyl coming from Canada. He also took aim at the four Republicans who voted for it, hoping they would reconsider their stance.
Collins and Murkowski noted that Trump had not reached out to them personally before the vote.
The tariffs imposed by Trump include a 25 percent charge on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, as well as a 10 percent tariff on energy resources from Canada. Collins, a frequent critic of Trump’s tariffs, warned that the 25 percent tariff would hurt businesses in her state, especially those that depend on trade with Canada.
“The Maine economy is integrated with Canada, our most important trading partner,” Collins said. She highlighted how industries like paper mills and lobster fishing would be harmed by the tariffs.
Paul, a strong opponent of the trade war, argued that tariffs are bad for the economy and that trade should be based on free market principles, not emergency measures. He also criticized Trump’s use of tariffs as a way to bypass Congress.
McConnell, who represents Kentucky, also expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs, especially on farmers and other industries in his state. “A long-term trade war would be a mistake,” he said.
Republicans who opposed the resolution predicted it would not pass in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and would not reach Trump’s desk.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats celebrated the vote as a political win, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) saying it showed that things were turning in their favor. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who co-sponsored the resolution, said the vote sent a message to Trump to stop his trade war with Canada.
“This is a clear message: You cannot abuse your powers to start an unjustified trade war with one of our strongest allies,” Klobuchar said.
While the resolution passed in the Senate, it is unlikely to go further, as many Republicans in the House and Senate expect it to stall there. The S&P 500 also dropped in after-hours trading following Trump’s announcement of his new tariffs.
