WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) went to the Senate floor today to ask for unanimous consent to pass his Stopping Tariffs on Allies and Bolstering Legislative Exercise of (STABLE) Trade Policy Act. The legislation, co-led with Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), would prevent any president from imposing tariffs on U.S. allies and free trade partners without congressional approval.
The STABLE Trade Policy Act would institute a requirement of congressional approval before a president could impose new tariffs on U.S. allies and free trade agreement partners. Currently, the president can impose tariffs on any nation using authorities that Congress created to combat national security risks and address international emergencies. President Trump has used these authorities to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which were set to go into place on February 1 and then delayed by a month. They are now expected to be implemented this coming week.
In addition to the tariffs on Mexico and Canada, President Trump has also claimed he will impose “reciprocal” tariffs on the European Union and additional tariffs on all imports of steel, aluminum, microchips, pharmaceuticals and automobiles. Further rounds of tariffs against Mexico and Canada are also possible. Immediate passage of the STABLE Trade Policy Act would prevent President Trump from implementing these subsequent tariffs without congressional approval.
“These tariffs will be disastrous for our economy and our national security,” Senator Coons said on the Senate floor. “These tariffs will cost the average American household about $1,200 a year. They'll raise costs for avocados and appliances, diesel fuel and dog toys, car parts and Christmas tree lights, tomatoes and tequila––I could go on.”
Senator Coons said that even if Trump delays the tariffs at the last minute, the uncertainty still raises costs for businesses and consumers. He emphasized that imposing tariffs on our closest allies and free trade partners will only weaken U.S. global standing and make our allies less likely to stand with us in the future.
“These tariffs, if imposed, will make inflation worse and hit the lowest income Americans the hardest. They will impact American businesses, American families, and American communities,” said Senator Coons. “So, I hope that working together with my friends and colleagues here in the Senate, we can find ways to lower costs on pharmaceuticals and automobiles and microchips––but sparking tariff wars in our region and around the world is not the way to do that.”
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) objected.
A video and transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.
Senator Coons: Mr. President, I rise today to seek unanimous consent for my STABLE Trade Policy Act with Senator Kaine––an act that would prevent any president from imposing tariffs on a U.S. ally or free trade agreement partner without congressional consent. I'll make that motion in just a moment, but let me first just explain what this is and why I'm doing it. Next week, President Trump has announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on products coming into the United States from Mexico and Canada––our number one and number two trading partners. These tariffs will be disastrous for our economy and our national security. These tariffs will cost the average American household about $1,200 a year. They'll raise costs for avocados and appliances, diesel fuel and dog toys, car parts and Christmas tree lights, tomatoes and tequila––I could go on.
Our economies are so closely integrated––the United States, Canada and Mexico–– that it will increase the cost of a GM pickup truck about $10,000, and even if these tariffs at the last minute are delayed, businesses are hurt by the uncertainty, which continues to increase costs. President Trump plans to follow those tariffs with reciprocal tariffs on the EU, which includes many of our critical NATO allies and closest partners. Imposing tariffs on our allies and partners diminishes our standing in the world and makes our neighbors less likely to help us in the future.
It's no surprise that Americans think this is a terrible idea. Barely a quarter of Americans think imposing tariffs on Canada are a good idea. More than double that disapprove. President Trump has already declared an economic emergency to justify imposing these tariffs on Mexico and Canada, but my bill with Senator Kaine would prevent him from abusing long established national security authorities to follow through on further tariff threats against our allies and FTA partners.
The U.S. Constitution and the Commerce Clause – Article I, Section Eight – gives Congress jurisdiction over trade policy, and it's time that we took ownership back, controlling the ability to impose tariffs willy-nilly on our trusted partners and allies by passing this bill and reining in President Trump's costly and damaging ideas. And so, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of Senate Bill 348, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, that the bill be considered [to be] read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table.
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Senator Coons: Mr. President, I understand that Senator Crapo, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, a supporter of President Trump, has blocked this bill today, and I hope to find ways to work with him on improving market access and on elevating the quality and the capabilities of U.S. trade engagement with our partners. But I really don't understand why President Trump seems so intent on harming one of his signature accomplishments––the USMCA. I'm disappointed because Congress gave the president authority to impose tariffs in the event of a national security crisis, Congress did not grant this power to pursue petty grudges against trusted neighbors. Honestly, how can anyone be angry at Canadians? They are the nicest people in the world, and yet here they are, working with us, pleading with us to not impose ruinous tariffs that would harm their economy and ours.
I'll briefly then just make again a few simple points. I'm disappointed that President Trump isn't doing more to reduce costs. He was elected in no small part because of high inflation and promised it would come down on day one. These tariffs, if imposed, will make inflation worse and hit the lowest income Americans the hardest. It will impact American business, American families, and American communities.
So, I hope that working together with my friends and colleagues here in the Senate, we can find ways to lower costs on pharmaceuticals and automobiles and microchips, but imposing reciprocal tariffs on trusted friends and allies,sparking tariffs wars in our region and around the world, is not the way to do that. Two-thirds of Americans already think that President Trump isn't doing enough to lower costs. Blocking this bill will only accelerate that, if President Trump continues to act unwisely and bully and threaten our closest and most trusted partners. We must find a better way forward together.