U.S. Chamber of Commerce Calls for Congressional Review of Trump's Tariffs

Strategic Insights -

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell's Trade Review Act of 2025 aims to reclaim Congress's constitutional role in setting tariffs, which the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has called for in an open letter to members of the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan bill, modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, would reestablish limits on the president's ability to impose unilateral tariffs without congressional approval. Key business organizations, including the National Retail Federation, have endorsed the bill, citing concerns over the economic uncertainty and higher prices resulting from President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has urged Congress to pass the Trade Review Act of 2025, which would restore constitutional procedures for setting tariffs and benefit millions of Americans dependent on international commerce.
  • The bill has picked up 12 additional cosponsors, an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats, since its introduction in April by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
  • Senator Cantwell has been joined by other senators, including her colleague Jeff Merkley (D-OR), in pushing back against President Trump's authoritarian actions on tariffs, citing the need for a more deliberative process in enacting tariffs.
  • Small businesses, manufacturers, and ranchers are struggling with higher costs due to Trump's tariffs, which have resulted in thousands of dollars in higher prices for American families.
  • The Constitution grants exclusive authority to Congress "to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises... [and] to regulate commerce with foreign nations," making it essential to reassert congressional prerogatives on trade.
  • The U.S. Chamber maintains a database of testimonials from small business owners across the country who are suffering under President Trump's tariffs.
  • Columbia River ports are currently grappling with a huge dip in U.S. soybean exports due to China's retaliatory boycott of U.S.-grown soybeans.

Statistics:

  • 4 out of 5 jobs in Washington state are tied to trade and trade-related industries.
  • 18% of jobs supported by the export of goods pay above the national average.
  • According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the tariffs imposed by President Trump have resulted in an estimated $31 billion in economic costs to American businesses and consumers since January 2018.
  • The National Retail Federation estimates that the tariffs have added $2.5 billion to the cost of goods sold by the organization's member companies since 2018.
  • 2 out of every 5 jobs in Washington state are tied to international trade, making the state's economy particularly vulnerable to tariffs and retaliatory measures.

Sources:

  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's open letter to members of the U.S. Senate, dated April 2023.
  • Senator Maria Cantwell's press conference on the steps of the Supreme Court, September 18, 2023.
  • The U.S. Trade Representative's estimates of economic costs resulting from Trump's tariffs.
  • The National Retail Federation's estimates of the impact of tariffs on its member companies.
  • The War Powers Resolution of 1973.