ISTANBUL: The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada after six Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in opposing a key element of his trade agenda.
The House voted 219–211 to pass the Democratic-backed measure. The resolution is largely symbolic, however, as it could be vetoed by the president if it passes in the Senate, and it did not secure a veto-proof majority in the House.
The Senate voted twice last year to block Trump from imposing tariffs on Canada, with four Republicans joining Democrats to pass the measures. Its passage followed a vote Tuesday in which Republican Reps. Kevin Kiley of California, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Don Bacon of Nebraska joined Democrats to defeat a procedural measure that would have prevented lawmakers from moving to overturn the president’s broad tariffs through July.
For months, House Republican leaders had blocked efforts to force votes on Trump’s tariff authority, but the restriction on challenging the levies expired in January.
Dan Newhouse of Washington, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Jeff Hurd of Colorado along with Kiley, Massie and Bacon broke with the president in Wednesday’s vote, a move that could carry political implications ahead of the November midterm elections. Later, in a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump threatened lawmakers who voted against tariffs, saying they will “seriously suffer the consequences come Election time.”
“Our Trade Deficit has been reduced by 78%, the Dow Jones has just hit 50,000, and the S&P, 7,000, all Numbers that were considered IMPOSSIBLE just one year ago.
In addition, TARIFFS have given us Great National Security because the mere mention of the word has Countries agreeing to our strongest wishes,” he said.”TARIFFS have given us Economic and National Security, and no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege,” he added.
In another post, Trump said that Canada “has taken advantage of the United States on Trade for many years.””They are among the worst in the World to deal with, especially as it relates to our Northern Border. TARIFFS make a WIN for us, EASY. Republicans must keep it that way!”
