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Legislative bills

Bipartisan Senate Vote Challenges President Trump's International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) Tariffs on Canada

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Senate has voted 50-46 to pass bipartisan legislation challenging President Donald Trump's IEPPA tariffs on Canada, following newly released inflation data showing consumer prices rose in September at their fastest pace in eight months. The legislation aims to terminate the February 1 emergency declaration and eliminate the tariffs on Canadian imports, which have been widely criticized for hurting American businesses and families.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA), aims to end President Trump's trade war with Canada and block IEPPA tariffs on Canadian imports.
  • The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including the AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
  • Public opinion surveys have overwhelmingly demonstrated that the American people do not support Trump's trade wars, with 43 percent of American adults opposing tariffs on Canada and a majority (52 percent) opposing the Canada tariffs.
  • Canada is Virginia's largest export market, accounting for 15 percent of Virginia's exports, and 56.1 percent of Southwest Virginia's economic output is dependent on trade.
  • The legislation would eliminate the tariffs on Canadian imports, which are among the largest tax increases on American families in recent history.
  • The National Emergencies Act states that the U.S. House of Representatives must vote on this legislation within 18 days.
  • The legislation is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of senators, including Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

Statistics:

  • 50-46 vote in favor of the legislation
  • American adults opposed to tariffs on Canada: 43%
  • American adults opposing Trump's Canada tariffs: 52%
  • Virginia's exports to Canada in 2024: 15% of total exports
  • Trade-dependent economic output in Southwest Virginia: 56.1%
  • Top goods exports from Virginia to Canada in 2022: motor vehicles and transportation equipment (e.g. medium- and heavy-duty trucks)
  • Number of cosponsors: 14 senators ( bipartisan group)

Sources:

  • Virginia Senator Tim Kaine
  • Rand Paul
  • Amy Klobuchar
  • Mark R. Warner
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
  • The National Emergencies Act
  • Public First survey
  • Economist/YouGov survey
  • AFL-CIO
  • United Steelworkers (USW)
  • North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU)
  • International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE)
  • Conference of Mayors
  • Public Citizen
  • National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO)
  • Mainstreet Alliance
  • Small Business Majority
  • National Taxpayers Union
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • American Apparel and Footwear Association
  • National Retail Federation
  • The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA)
  • Consumer Technology Association
  • We Pay the Tariffs
  • Foreign Policy for America
  • American Craft Spirits Association
  • Full text of the legislation

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