Republican senators want to limit Trump’s power to impose tariffs

A group of Republican senators has decided to break ranks with the White House and support a bill that would limit President Donald Trump's ability to impose tariffs without congressional approval, as reported by the agency EFE.

The proposal, known as the "Trade Review Act," seeks to curb presidential power over trade policy by requiring that any new tariff first receives legislative approval.

If approved, the law would allow a tariff to be maintained for an initial period of 60 days, unless Congress ratifies it to extend the duration.

Among the supporters of this initiative is veteran Senator Mitch McConnell, the former Republican leader in the Senate, which signals a clear indication that internal tensions within the Republican Party are rising regarding Trump's aggressive approach to international trade.

The legislative text also grants both chambers the authority to revoke imposed tariffs within 60 days, provided there is bipartisan consensus.

From the White House, the rejection has been outright: in an official statement, the Executive warned that it would veto the project if it reaches its desk, arguing that the law "severely limits" the president's powers to "protect national security and shape the foreign policy" of the United States.

In parallel, another legislative effort is underway in the House of Representatives, which is predominantly Republican, where Congressman Don Bacon is expected to introduce a second proposal that would allow Congress to block tariffs imposed by the president.

Both proposals require two-thirds of the votes in both chambers to overcome a potential presidential veto, which means that more Republican legislators will need to distance themselves from Trump, something that has been uncommon since his return to the presidency.

The legislative movement occurs at a particularly sensitive moment: on April 2, Trump announced the implementation of global tariffs of 10%, and newly imposed even higher rates targeting countries like China and the European Union, which will take effect on April 9.

Despite internal and external criticism, the president insisted on Monday that he will maintain his strategy: “There will be fair agreements with the countries that are negotiating, but we will not pause tariffs during that process,” Trump stated to the press.

The debate reveals a shift in tone within the Republican Party, where some members are beginning to question the almost absolute power that Trump wields over trade matters, and are seeking to regain Congressional control over decisions that affect not only the U.S. economy but also the country's international relations.

The president of the Federal Reserve (Fed), Jerome Powell, warned last Friday that the tariffs imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump could result in slower economic growth and a persistent inflationary spike in the United States.

During a conference in Arlington, Virginia, Powell stated that the impact of the new tariffs, which will take effect on Saturday, could be more lasting than anticipated.

"It is very likely that tariffs will cause, at least temporarily, an increase in inflation, but it is also possible that their effects will be more persistent," warned the president of the central bank, according to EFE.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Proposal to Limit Trump's Power to Impose Tariffs