In a rare bipartisan move, four Republican senators joined Democrats on Wednesday to reverse President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, The Hill reported. The resolution, which passed by a 51-48 vote, came on the same day Trump announced a new wave of global tariffs.
Republican senators Rand Paul (Kentucky), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) broke ranks with their party to support the resolution. Their opposition followed Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on all imports and higher tariffs on China, Vietnam, Japan, and other nations.
Senator Lisa Murkowski defended her vote, arguing that the tariffs would hurt American families and businesses.
“Today, I voted to terminate the emergency declaration put in place to justify higher tariffs on Canadian imports. While not all Canadian trade practices are fair, I’m keenly aware of the negative impacts in store for Alaskan families and businesses should tariffs drive up the costs of essential goods,” Murkowski wrote on X.
Democrats framed the resolution as a pushback against Trump’s escalating trade war with Canada, a key US trading partner. They warned that the tariffs could jeopardize 6.5 million jobs nationwide.
Trump’s administration had already imposed 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and steel and aluminum imports. At the Make America Wealthy Again event, he defended the new tariffs, arguing that the US has been unfairly treated in trade deals.
“The United States charges other countries only 2.4% on motorcycles, while Thailand, India, Vietnam, and others charge much higher rates—some exceeding 75%,” Trump said.
He also reaffirmed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles, stating, “Such horrendous imbalances have devastated our industrial base and put our national security at risk.”
Trump’s new tariffs target several major economies, including:
- China (34%)
- European Union (20%)
- Vietnam (46%)
- Taiwan (32%)
- Japan (24%)
- India (26%)
- United Kingdom (10%)
- Bangladesh (37%)
- Pakistan (29%)
- Sri Lanka (44%)
- Israel (17%)
The White House confirmed that these tariffs would take effect immediately.
