Tariffs and Cantwell
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. A bipartisan Senate bill would restore Congress’ constitutional role in approving tariff use.
Former Senate Finance Chair Chuck Grassley and fellow panel Democrat Maria Cantwell, of Washington State, would require Congress to okay the president’s unilateral tariffs.
Cantwell defended the rules-based global trading system …
CANTWELL … “Our trade agreements helped American farmers export $176 billion in agricultural products last year. They helped ensure that the United States is the world’s largest agricultural exporter, with corn and soybeans leading the way as the top export.”
The Cantwell-Grassley 2025 Trade Review Act follows Senate passage with four GOP votes of a Democratic bill that reverses President Trump’s Canadian tariffs.
But neither bill may move in the House, despite Cantwell’s constitutional argument for her bipartisan measure …
CANTWELL … “Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the explicit authority to impose duties and regulate commerce, given the far-reaching impact to our national economy I just mentioned.”
The Cantwell-Grassley bill mirrors then-Chairman Grassley’s 2019 Section 232 tariff reform efforts. The new bill requires the president to notify Congress of imposing tariffs within 48 hours and explain the reasoning for them.
Congress must approve the president’s action within 60 days, or the new tariffs expire after that.
