WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution seeking to rescind President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, marking a largely symbolic but notable bipartisan rebuke of the administration’s trade policy. Six Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in a 219–211 vote in favor of the measure aimed at ending the tariffs imposed last year.
President Trump had introduced a series of tariffs on Canadian goods, including a threatened 100% import tax, in response to Canada’s proposed trade agreement with China. During the House vote, Trump took to Truth Social, warning Republicans against opposing his tariff policy.“Any Republican in the House or the Senate that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time,” Trump wrote. He added, “TARIFFS have given us Economic and National Security, and no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege.”
Previously, the Senate had voted twice last year to block Trump from imposing tariffs on Canada, with four Republicans siding with Democrats.
However, House Republican leadership had prevented similar votes from taking place.Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, who announced the latest move, accused Trump of having “weaponized tariffs” against US allies and undermined the global economy. According to the BBC, Meeks argued that the tariffs have damaged relations with Canada and risk pushing Ottawa closer to Beijing.
The resolution now heads to the Senate, where Republicans hold a majority. While it is expected to pass, President Trump is likely to veto the measure. Meanwhile, the legality of the tariffs is under scrutiny, as the US Supreme Court is set to rule on a case challenging the president’s authority to impose such levies.
Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, indicated that the Canada measure is the first in a series of bills he plans to introduce to roll back Trump’s key trade actions.
