US Senate Passes Bill to Block Trump Tariffs on Brazil Amid Rare Bipartisan Opposition
In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the US Senate has passed a bill that would terminate Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on Brazilian imports, including coffee and beef. The legislation, led by Senator Tim Kaine, was approved in a 52-48 vote with five Republicans joining all Democrats in favor.
The measure, which aims to overturn the national emergency declared by Trump to justify the levies, faces a bleak outlook in the US House, where Republican leaders have taken steps to block any attempt to override the president's tariffs. The bill would need to clear the House floor and be signed into law by Trump, but it's unlikely to succeed.
Senator Kaine described the tariffs as "a tax on American consumers" and "a tax on American businesses," arguing that they are imposed by a single individual: President Trump. He also pointed out that the US had a trade surplus of nearly $7 billion with Brazil last year.
Not all Senate Republicans have rejected the tariffs, but Tuesday's vote reveals an underlying discontent among some lawmakers with Trump's policies. Senator Mitch McConnell, who co-sponsored the bill, acknowledged that the tariffs make building and buying in America more expensive, while Senator Rand Paul argued that the president is abusing his emergency power to impose tariffs.
The move comes as the US Supreme Court prepares to consider a case challenging Trump's authority to impose broad global tariffs brought through an emergency economic powers act. Some Republicans have indicated they are waiting for the court's decision before voting against the president.
While Tuesday's vote may not be enough to block Trump's tariffs, it marks a rare instance of bipartisan opposition in the Senate. The renewed push for change follows similar attempts last month, when four Republicans sided with Democrats to back a measure that would have rolled back tariffs on Canada.
With the federal government shutdown ongoing, the latest development highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party over Trump's trade policies and the growing unease among some lawmakers about his use of executive power.
In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the US Senate has passed a bill that would terminate Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on Brazilian imports, including coffee and beef. The legislation, led by Senator Tim Kaine, was approved in a 52-48 vote with five Republicans joining all Democrats in favor.
The measure, which aims to overturn the national emergency declared by Trump to justify the levies, faces a bleak outlook in the US House, where Republican leaders have taken steps to block any attempt to override the president's tariffs. The bill would need to clear the House floor and be signed into law by Trump, but it's unlikely to succeed.
Senator Kaine described the tariffs as "a tax on American consumers" and "a tax on American businesses," arguing that they are imposed by a single individual: President Trump. He also pointed out that the US had a trade surplus of nearly $7 billion with Brazil last year.
Not all Senate Republicans have rejected the tariffs, but Tuesday's vote reveals an underlying discontent among some lawmakers with Trump's policies. Senator Mitch McConnell, who co-sponsored the bill, acknowledged that the tariffs make building and buying in America more expensive, while Senator Rand Paul argued that the president is abusing his emergency power to impose tariffs.
The move comes as the US Supreme Court prepares to consider a case challenging Trump's authority to impose broad global tariffs brought through an emergency economic powers act. Some Republicans have indicated they are waiting for the court's decision before voting against the president.
While Tuesday's vote may not be enough to block Trump's tariffs, it marks a rare instance of bipartisan opposition in the Senate. The renewed push for change follows similar attempts last month, when four Republicans sided with Democrats to back a measure that would have rolled back tariffs on Canada.
With the federal government shutdown ongoing, the latest development highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party over Trump's trade policies and the growing unease among some lawmakers about his use of executive power.
I mean can you believe it? A bipartisan thing actually happened in the Senate! It's like they're finally waking up from a long slumber 
. The fact that 5 Republicans voted with all Democrats on this bill is a big deal. It shows that even some of Trump's own party members are starting to see his tariffs for what they are - a total overreach 
.
. I'm not saying it's going to pass in the House or that Trump will even sign it into law, but at least there's some pushback against his tariffs.
. Maybe this is a sign of things to come? Maybe we'll start seeing more bipartisan cooperation in the Senate 
. Can you imagine it? It gives me hope 
!
i mean, trump's tariffs on brazil are being blocked in the senate 
which means more coffee and beef for us americans 
plus its a sign that even within the republican party there are people who disagree with trumps policies which is kinda refreshing. i'm also loving the bipartisan unity here 
especially since senator kaine is leading the charge. and hey, who knows maybe this will be a turning point for some republicans to rethink their stance on trade and tariffs 
senator tim kaine is a total hero for standin up 2 trump's tariffs on brazil! it's about time we saw some common sense in washington 
those coffee and beef prices have gotta stop hurtin americans 
Like, have you seen those tariffs on Brazilian coffee and beef? Ridiculous! And now we're seeing some semblance of sanity from these guys in the Senate. It's just about time someone held Trump accountable for his actions. The trade surplus with Brazil is like $7 billion... that's not a minor thing! We should be supporting our allies, not punishing them over some petty issue. 
it's crazy!
I mean, Trump's tariffs on Brazil were just a total mess, right? 
And now, even some Republicans are like "hey, maybe we should rethink this" 
. It's not like they're all against it or anything (although, tbh, who wouldn't be?)... but that Kaine dude is on point! 
He's right, these tariffs are just a tax on American consumers and businesses. And I love how some Republicans are finally speaking out against Trump's abuse of emergency power 
. It's about time, if you ask me! 