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The US Senate voted 51-47 on Thursday to overturn President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy affecting over 100 countries. The resolution aimed to nullify the “reciprocal” tariffs imposed through executive order, signaling a rare bipartisan stance against the president’s trade approach.
Maine's Susan Collins, Kentucky's Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, all Republican senators, voted together with the Democratic senators. This choice was the third bipartisan vote on tariffs in just one week. The earlier drafts of the resolutions had the same purpose as regards the tariffs imposed on Brazil and Canada.
Meanwhile, Trump was finishing up a week-long trip to Asia during which he managed to secure a deal with China to reduce the tariffs applied to imports from China. The deal also included China’s promise to buy more soybeans from the US, which was a step towards alleviating farmers’ worries after a long period of trade disputes.
The global tariff regime was initiated under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump had justified it by citing the nation’s “large and persistent trade deficit.” Through August, the tariffs generated roughly $88 billion, according to US Customs and Border Protection.
The Tax Foundation estimated that the tariffs increased taxes by over $1,600 per household while cutting GDP by nearly 0.5 percent over the next decade. The Senate’s latest decision followed earlier efforts to end similar emergency tariff measures targeting specific nations.
Although this vote reflected growing bipartisan concern, its impact remains limited. The House of Representatives previously adopted a rule preventing any termination of tariff-related emergencies until March 2026. Therefore, the president retains the authority to continue enforcing the measures.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon stated before the vote that “American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up.” His remarks captured the growing anxiety surrounding inflation and trade costs nationwide.
While the vote exposed divisions within the Republican Party, it also revealed shifting priorities among long-serving members. McConnell, once a loyal Trump ally, publicly broke with the president’s stance on tariffs. He stated that “trade wars hurt working people most.”
In the case of Maine, Alaska, and Kentucky, the exporters were under direct economic pressure. Lawmakers representing these areas cited the decline in job opportunities and loss of competitiveness as reasons for their support of the resolution.
Senators against the repeal opined that it could deteriorate the US position in future trade negotiations. Senator Mike Crapo from Idaho mentioned the resolution as “not contributing to the welfare of American families and businesses of all sizes.”
International scene commentators considered the Senate's ruling a possible sign of US trade aggressiveness easing. Nonetheless, if there is no approval from the House, then the global partners can only wait for the unfolding of the trade policy changes on the ground.
Despite the Senate's action, the tariffs are still in effect. Lawmakers are now advocating for the Trade Review Act of 2025. The proposed legislation aims to regain Congress's control over presidential tariff powers and to increase accountability.
While debates among lawmakers continue, one crucial question persists: will Congress this time be able to turn the challenge of trade policy into mere symbolism in US trade policy?
Also Read: Trump Issues Stark Warning to China: ‘Fantastic Deal or 155% Tariffs’ Ahead of Xi Meet
The Senate's 51-47 vote in favor of ending the global tariffs imposed by Donald Trump marks a significant step toward trade reform. Although mostly symbolic, it nevertheless demonstrates an apparent bipartisan demand for accountability in US trade policy and a return of congressional oversight through the Trade Review Act, via renewed efforts.
