Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, SENATE NEWS—Bipartisan vote passes joint resolution effectually repealing tariffs on Canada, (Apr 3, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

Senator Mitch McConnell, who voted alongside Democrats in favor of the resolution, explained: “[T]rade wars with our partners hurt working people most.”

On Wednesday, the Senate passed a joint resolution stating that, “pursuant to section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), the national emergency declared on February 1, 2025, by the President in Executive Order 14193 (90 Fed. Reg. 9113) is terminated.”

E.O. 14193, issued on February 1, 2025, was purportedly based on Trump’s “authority” under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code.

The Joint Resolution passed with 51 votes, with Senators Susan Collins (R-Me), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Rand Paul (R-Ky) joining the Democrats.

Working people hurt most. Senator McConnell released this statement about his vote:

• “As I have always warned, tariffs are bad policy, and trade wars with our partners hurt working people most. Tariffs drive up the cost of goods and services. They are a tax on everyday working Americans. Preserving the long-term prosperity of American industry and workers requires working with our allies, not against them. With so much at stake globally, the last thing we need is to pick fights with the very friends with whom we should be working with to protect against China’s predatory and unfair trade practices. That includes what we do on trade. Tariffs make it more expensive to do business in America, driving up costs for producers and consumers across the board. In Kentucky, broad-based tariffs could even have long-term consequences right in our backyard. Consider our state’s 69,000 family farms that sell their crops around the globe, or the hardworking Kentuckians who craft 95% of the world’s bourbon, or our automotive and manufacturing industries that rely on global supply chains. Make no mistake: goods made in America will be more expensive to manufacture and, ultimately, for consumers to purchase, with higher broad-based tariffs. At a time when Americans are tightening their belts, we would do well to avoid policies that heap on the pain. We ought to strengthen our friendships abroad, and reinforce our allies as pillars of American prosperity and security.”

The vote came only hours after the President announced a far broader 10 percent tariff against non-U.S. countries. That Executive Order also purports to rely on the same authorities as the Canadian one.

News: EconomicNews