Trump's New Test: Republican Leaders Fail to Prevent House Vote on Overturning Tariffs on Canada

President Trump’s tariff policies in the United States are facing new challenges. The House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday whether to overturn Trump’s tariffs on Canada, after House Speaker and key Republican ally in Congress Mike Johnson’s last attempt to block the vote failed.

In the House vote on Tuesday evening Eastern Time, three Republican members sided with the Democrats, jointly rejecting Johnson’s proposal to delay the tariff vote until the end of July. These three “defectors” are Thomas Massie from Kentucky, Kevin Kiley from California, and retiring centrist Don Bacon from Nebraska.

Bacon stated on social media, “Congress needs to be able to debate tariffs. Tariffs have a net negative impact on the economy and are a significant tax burden on American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers.”

Commentators say that this Wednesday’s vote will force House Republicans to choose between loyalty to the president and protecting economic interests. Since Republicans hold only a slim majority in the House, if all Democratic members vote in favor and at most one Republican votes yes, the House will pass a resolution to revoke the Canadian tariffs.

The Senate has already passed similar legislation opposing Trump’s tariff policies in 2025. Even if the House passes the resolution, Trump is very likely to exercise veto power, making this vote more symbolic than substantive.

Internal Divisions within the Republican Party

On Wednesday, the House will vote on a resolution introduced by New York Congressman Gregory Meeks, demanding the revocation of the tariffs announced by Trump in February 2025 on Canada. Meeks is a senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In a statement, he criticized, “The Speaker continues to abdicate his responsibilities, handing over Congress’s constitutional authority to Trump.”

For months, Johnson has used procedural rules to create legislative barriers to protect Trump’s broad tariff powers from congressional challenge. His attempt to extend this ban until the end of July was thwarted. Johnson said on a media program Wednesday morning, “This is the reality of a slim majority. I think it’s a serious mistake. While the president is negotiating trade agreements prioritizing America first, we shouldn’t limit his authority.”

The Republican-controlled Senate has already expressed opposition to this policy last year, passing legislation to waive the White House’s global emergency tariffs and tariffs against Canada and Brazil. If similar legislation passes the House, it would constitute a significant opposition to the president, though mainly symbolic.

Virginia Democrat Don Beyer stated in a release, “It’s encouraging that a few Republicans are finally standing up against Trump to stop this madness. I hope more colleagues will join them when considering ending tariffs on Canada and other key allies and trading partners.”

Midterm Election Pressures

This vote comes during the midterm election season, with Democrats making Trump’s tariffs a key campaign issue, focusing on affordability and living costs. The party attributes tariffs as a driver of inflation, believing they have worsened the cost of living crisis.

Even if the House votes to overturn Trump’s tariffs, it is unlikely to force Trump to concede. Because joint resolutions require the president’s signature to become law, or Congress must achieve a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto.

However, unfavorable voting results, especially during an election year, will exert political pressure on Trump, potentially prompting him to change course.

Johnson has told Republican members that the House should not vote on whether the president has exceeded his powers in imposing global tariffs through emergency laws before the Supreme Court rules. Last year, House Republican leadership took measures to prevent such votes, despite some Republican dissenters, ultimately settling with a commitment to regularly discuss the impact of Trump’s trade policies.

Trump Reportedly Considering Exit from USMCA

Wall Street Insights previously reported that this Wednesday, Trump is privately considering withdrawing from the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Sources familiar with the matter said Trump has asked aides why he shouldn’t exit the deal, though no formal withdrawal signal has been issued.

The agreement is under mandatory review on July 1, a process initially seen as routine but now turned into a contentious negotiation. U.S. Trade Representative Grier said Tuesday that the government will hold separate negotiations with Mexico and Canada, citing more tense trade relations with Canada. He noted that Mexico is “quite pragmatic,” while negotiations with Canada are “more challenging.”

This agreement, covering about $2 trillion in goods and services, is one of the world’s largest trade relationships. If the U.S. withdraws, it would undermine the foundation of this relationship, and even the threat of withdrawal can unsettle investors and global leaders.

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