Some GOP Lawmakers Seek to Strengthen Trump's Influence on Trade

Rep. Mark Sanford

(R., SC), one of the sponsors of the bill who lost a primary last month after clashing repeatedly with Mr. Trump, said that many others Republicans would support the bill if they did not have to worry about the White House. 19659003] "Historically there are a lot of free trade votes, and people keep their heads down given the current political turn in which we are," Sanford said. "Midyears is coming in and people can watch the writing on the wall – at my run – and other races like it – the part at this particular time has changed a lot on the trade," he said.

In the Senate, two Republicans who retire at the end of their terms,

Jeff Flake

(R., Ariz.) And

Bob Corker

(R., Tennessee), have brought charges against the president's trade policy. The pair wrote a non-binding resolution calling for limiting the president's ability to impose national security tariffs, and he passed House 88-11 on Wednesday with 39 of the 51 Republicans supporting the chamber.

"It's a manifestation of the anxiety that many of our constituents feel," he said.

Senator John Cornyn

(R., Texas), the No. 2 Republican of the House. "I think it sends an important message."

Yet Republican leaders in the House and Senate have stopped considering legislation.

Paul Ryan

(R., Wisconsin) said Thursday that he wanted to informally influence the commercial policy of the administration. "I do not think tariffs are a good solution, I think the most efficient and constructive thing is to work with the administration to put the policy in place," he said. he said.

Trump escalated tensions after imposing tariffs on washing machines and solar panels in January, followed by universal tariffs on all steel imports in March and, the week last, applied $ 34 billion on Chinese products.In the coming weeks

When China reacted by retaliatory measures, the Trump administration announced this week that it would begin the process of A new series of duties on Chinese imports valued at $ 200 billion

in areas where Mr Trump won his support in the 2016 elections and where Republican candidates run for office. election this fall.

A While many Republicans applaud Trump's approach to trade, some lawmakers fear being forced to protect their constituents. economic harm or support for a president who is inclined to retaliate against those who oppose him.

Charles Boustany, a former Republican congressman who is now working on trade issues at Capitol Counsel LLC, said House Republicans who must support support will not vote against the president in an election year.

"The Republican base is still strongly behind Trump at this stage." "Those who are running for re-election in the House do not want to go outside the base."

Indeed, many Republicans have expressed optimism about the commercial policy of the administration. "I think there's a lot of behind-the-scenes work that will produce a good short-term result," he said.

Rep. Mark Meadows

(R., N.C.), the chairman of the Conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R., Wisconsin) introduced the law, which is also sponsored by Mr. Sanford;

Rep. Ryan Costello

(R., Pa.), Who leaves this year; Rep. Leonard Lance (R., N.J.), running for re-election in a district that Hillary Clinton won by one point; and two Democrats. Mr. Gallagher is favored to win his reelection race and has a history of breaking with the administration.

Gallagher acknowledged that he was taking a risk with the bill. "I would definitely love that we improve access to certain markets for our farmers and our manufacturers," Gallagher said. But this should not be done at the cost of expelling companies, he said.

Lance also said that he is indifferent to the policy of opposing Mr. Trump. "I speak for myself, I did not support the health care bill or the tax bill and I am a free-trader, and I will be judged by my opinions" [19659019]. Thursday with the Treasury Secretary

Steven Mnuchin,

President

Jeb Hensarling,

who retired at the end of his term, opened the hearing by denouncing the rates.

"When the dust finally settles, the commercial policy of the administration could prove brilliant, I hope," said the Texas Republican. But, in the short term, he said that the company's checks for capital expenditures "are closing and that plans for expansion are put on hold as uncertainty grows. in all our economy. "

-Kristina Peterson contributed to this article. [ad_2]
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