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Still, it is unclear whether a Congress that has always been pbadive during Trump's previous – and ongoing – trade wars will act to prevent any new tariff from coming into effect.
Trump said on Thursday night that he would use a national rescue authority to impose 5% tariffs on all Mexican imports to the US, increasing to 25% in October if the Mexican government acted. not to limit illegal border crossings.
Since Trump took office, GOP lawmakers have publicly called on the president not to impose tariffs on the United States' closest trading partners, but they have never acted to prevent it. . After Trump lifted tariffs on steel and aluminum on Canada and Mexico earlier this month, members of Congress breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that he would give the priority to ratify its renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement and avoid further trade wars despite intensifying tensions with China.
These hopes were shattered on Thursday, when Trump announced potential tariffs on Mexico, even as the Mexican legislature was preparing to consider soon the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The vast majority of Republicans fear the tangible effects of tariffs – hurting US firms that depend on goods from Mexico, as well as higher prices for large-scale US consumers. But because Trump invokes border security, GOP lawmakers are caught between affirming his position on immigration and condemning his drastic approach to trade.
"I support almost all President Trump's immigration policies, but that's not one of them," said Thursday in a statement the chairman of the finance committee of the Senate, Mr. Chuck Grbadley of Iowa.
Some Capitol Hill Republicans still hope Trump could reverse his course. If it does not, the legislator can consider legislative options to block the new tariffs. These conversations will probably take place next week, after the return of the Congress from a break of a week.
But they could also do what they've always done: crossing their fingers and hoping for the best.
The Republicans Sense. Joni Ernst, Portman Rob, John Cornyn, Martha McSally and others also rejected the idea, arguing that it would be painful for their states and disrupt the North American economy.
The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, for his part, carefully avoided criticizing Trump and addressed the issue of tip-toe fare.
"There is a serious humanitarian crisis on the southern border and it is high time that my Democratic colleagues finally take seriously any meaningful action," he said in a statement. "As a third trading partner, a healthy and vibrant economic relationship with Mexico is an essential source of our shared prosperity, and any proposal that has an impact on this relationship deserves a thorough review and I look forward to discussing this plan in more detail. with my colleagues and the administration. "
Opponents warn that this measure would hurt US consumers and jeopardize the administration's efforts to ratify the USMCA. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin first pleaded against tariffs, but other protectionist minds – Stephen Miller and Peter Navarro – prevailed.
The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, also rejected any idea that Republicans should feel blinded by the White House gesture.
"The president has not turned a blind eye to his own party.If the Republicans were unaware, they would not pay attention," Sanders said Friday. "No matter who in this country or frankly in the world who says to be surprised by this situation has been living under the hammer and not paying attention.The President has been very clear about the fact that we must act, we must step up we must do more, and we must secure our borders. "
What can Congress do?
Voice critics of Trump's use of tariffs say that Congress should reclaim the executive's trading powers.
"The president's use of tax hikes on Americans as a means of influencing Mexican policy changes is flawed," said Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey in a statement. "It is high time for Congress to intensify its efforts and reaffirm its constitutional responsibility for tariffs."
Toomey has introduced a bill requiring congressional approval for a different authority, Article 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, used by Trump to impose tariffs for reasons national security. Grbadley is working on a compromise plan to limit the same power. Given that Trump uses a separate tool to enforce tariffs on Mexican goods, lawmakers may consider rewriting or expanding these bills to address the imminent threat.
Legislators could also end the national emergency declaration that underlies the tariffs with a joint resolution of disapproval, as they had attempted earlier this year when Trump used the powers of the government. national emergency to seize funds for border security. This effort failed because Congress failed to override Trump's veto.
The Congress could also sit down and wait for the courts to intervene: the White House should face the challenges of American business groups.
The US Chamber of Commerce said on Friday that it was exploring legal options to counter the threat. During a telephone conversation with reporters, Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer in the House, criticized the decision and said the group was exercising due diligence.
"The imposition of these tariffs will make everything we need to do much harder while weakening our economy at the same time," he said.
Kaitlan Collins and Kevin Liptak from CNN contributed to this report.
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