Trump says ‘rebel’ Republicans ‘don’t negotiate like I negotiate’ on tariffs
President Donald Trump delivered a fiery speech on Tuesday, criticizing some Republican members of Congress for attempting to limit his presidential powers on instituting tariffs. Speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee, Trump took aim at what he referred to as “rebel” Republicans who were pushing back against his trade policies.
In particular, Trump singled out Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who is leading a bipartisan effort to block the president from imposing tariffs and shift that power back to Congress. Bacon expressed concerns about the potential of sparking a global trade war and emphasized the importance of congressional oversight in trade negotiations.
The Senate also saw bipartisan resistance to Trump’s tariffs, with Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introducing a resolution to repeal the president’s global tariffs. Additionally, Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., put forth a bill that would require congressional approval for any new tariffs imposed by the president.
Trump did not hold back in his criticism of these lawmakers, lambasting them for interfering with his negotiation tactics. He mocked the idea of Congress taking over tariff negotiations, suggesting that it would only benefit countries like China. Trump warned that if Congress were in charge, China would be the “happiest people in the world” and could potentially exploit the situation for their own gain.
The president also took a swipe at the media for sensationalizing the debate over tariffs, stating that such discussions only serve to weaken America’s negotiating position. Despite the pushback from some within his own party, Trump urged unity in defending American workers from unfair trade practices.
Overall, Trump’s speech highlighted the ongoing tension within the Republican Party over trade policy and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. As the debate over tariffs continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Congress will respond to the president’s assertion of authority in this area.
