Republican senators face uncomfortable vote on Trump’s Canadian tariffs

Senate Democrats are challenging Republican support for some of Donald Trump’s tariff plans by forcing a vote to nullify the emergency declaration that underpins the levies on Canada. While Republicans have stood by Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on imported goods, they have watched uneasily as the stock market has taken a hit.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia has introduced a resolution to challenge Trump’s use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to declare an emergency at the northern border and impose tariffs on Canadian imports. The resolution, which is expected to go to a vote soon, would need the support of all 46 Democratic senators as well as four Republicans to pass.

Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, a co-sponsor of Kaine’s measure, highlighted the negative impact tariffs would have on industries in his state, such as automobile manufacturers and the bourbon industry. Several Republican senators representing states that share a border with Canada have also expressed concerns about the tariffs.

Kaine has criticized Trump for using a “fake emergency” as a pretext to collect tariff revenue, citing public opinion polls showing that Americans oppose the tariffs. He also pointed out that the amount of fentanyl coming into the U.S. from Canada is minimal compared to the flow from Mexico.

While most Republicans in the Senate support using tariffs as a negotiating tool, some have expressed reservations about the potential economic impact of a trade war. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana suggested removing all tariffs on trading partners, while Sen. Steve Daines of Montana raised concerns about the impact on farmers and ranchers.

Goldman Sachs economists have raised their forecast for inflation and lowered it for U.S. economic growth, citing uncertainty caused by the tariffs. They now see a 35 percent chance of a U.S. recession in the next year, up from an earlier forecast of 20 percent.

As Trump prepares to impose reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, economists and lawmakers are closely monitoring the situation. The Senate vote on Kaine’s resolution will serve as a symbolic rebuke to the president’s tariff agenda, highlighting the divisions within the Republican party over trade policy.