Sweeping tariff plan is latest example of President Donald Trump's unilateral action
President Donald Trump called trade deficits "a national emergency that threatens our security and our very way of life." Credit: AP / Mark Schiefelbein
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff plan — which has rattled Wall Street and sparked bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill — is his latest push to act unilaterally on a consequential part of his second term agenda.
Trump declared the impact of foreign trade practices on the U.S. economy a national emergency when he signed his executive order Wednesday authorizing a new wave of tariffs on all imported goods. The declaration came after Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border in January to propel his mass deportation effort, and a national emergency in February surrounding drugs and fentanyl entering the United States to justify tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico.
"Chronic trade deficits are no longer merely an economic problem; they’re a national emergency that threatens our security and our very way of life," Trump said at a Rose Garden ceremony Wednesday to unveil the blanket 10% tariff on all imported goods, and additional reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries and the European Union.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations" and impose tariffs, but Congress through various pieces of legislation over the decades has ceded some of that authority to the executive branch. As markets tumble and recessionary concerns increase over Trump’s tariff implementation, a growing number of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have started to propose restoring congressional authority over tariffs.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), whose district previously included portions of Nassau County, announced plans Thursday to use a procedural move that would force a vote in the House on Trump’s tariffs against Canada. Meeks said in a post on X that he planned to force a vote "on ending the made up national emergency Trump is using to justify these taxes."
Trump in February ordered a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, arguing that both were not doing enough to curb drug trafficking. Both countries asked Trump to reconsider, with Mexico increasing military personnel and surveillance along the U.S.-Mexico border and Canada noting that only 0.2% of all fentanyl seized by U.S. authorities last year emanated from the Canadian border. But Trump ultimately moved ahead with the tariffs last month, while carving out some exemptions.
Trump has invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to declare the national emergencies behind his tariff orders. The Carter-era law grants the president the authority to issue emergency declarations "only in response to threats originating outside the United States."
Meeks’ effort builds on a similar effort by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) who introduced a resolution in the Senate on Wednesday calling on Trump to revoke the tariffs on Canada. Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted in favor of the joint resolution despite Trump's urging Republicans earlier to reject it.
McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, in a statement posted online called tariffs "bad policy," describing them as "a tax on everyday working Americans."
On Thursday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) filed a bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) calling for "congressional approval of unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch."
The measure would require the president to notify Congress of plans to launch new or increased tariffs within 48 hours and would require the president to provide an explanation for imposing the tariffs. The president would also need to provide an "analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers," according to the bill.
Congress would need to pass a joint resolution approving the new tariffs within 60 days, or they would expire after that time, and lawmakers would have the ability to terminate tariffs "at any time" by passing a resolution, according to the proposed bill.
"For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch," Grassley said in an online statement.
Grassley said the intent of the bill is "to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy."
Cantwell, in a statement said, "Trade wars can be as devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear constitutional authority over war and trade."
"This bill reasserts Congress’ role over trade policy to ensure rules-based trade policies are transparent, consistent, and benefit the American public," Cantwell said.
Long Island’s two House Democrats denounced Trump’s latest tariff plan in social media posts, while the delegation’s two House Republicans refrained from weighing in publicly.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said "we’re already seeing the consequences of Trump’s reckless approach to global trade," in a social media post that linked to news of car manufacturer Stellantis announcing the temporary layoff of 900 U.S. workers after tariffs were imposed on auto plants in Mexico and Canada.
"Trump’s erratic policies are threatening our jobs, our businesses, and our financial security," Suozzi wrote in a X post. "Today, working people are the first to suffer. Stocks are down, and prices are going up."
Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) said she supports Grassley and Cantwell’s bill to increase congressional oversight over tariffs, and called on Trump to "reverse course," in an X post.
"My constituents already face a cost-of-living crisis: Long Islanders can’t afford a devastating trade war," Gillen said.
Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) did not return interview requests and as of Saturday afternoon had not posted any reaction to Trump’s tariff rollout on their social media channels.
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, continued to defend his tariff approach arguing it would ultimately lead countries to seek a better trade deal with his administration, even as other countries have vowed to initiate their own round of retaliatory tariffs.
"That’s the beauty of what we do," Trump said. "We put ourselves in the driver’s seat."
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff plan — which has rattled Wall Street and sparked bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill — is his latest push to act unilaterally on a consequential part of his second term agenda.
Trump declared the impact of foreign trade practices on the U.S. economy a national emergency when he signed his executive order Wednesday authorizing a new wave of tariffs on all imported goods. The declaration came after Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border in January to propel his mass deportation effort, and a national emergency in February surrounding drugs and fentanyl entering the United States to justify tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico.
"Chronic trade deficits are no longer merely an economic problem; they’re a national emergency that threatens our security and our very way of life," Trump said at a Rose Garden ceremony Wednesday to unveil the blanket 10% tariff on all imported goods, and additional reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries and the European Union.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations" and impose tariffs, but Congress through various pieces of legislation over the decades has ceded some of that authority to the executive branch. As markets tumble and recessionary concerns increase over Trump’s tariff implementation, a growing number of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have started to propose restoring congressional authority over tariffs.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff plan — which has rattled Wall Street and sparked bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill — is his latest push to act unilaterally on a consequential part of his second term agenda.
- Trump declared the impact of foreign trade practices on the U.S. economy a national emergency when he signed an executive order Wednesday authorizing a new wave of tariffs on all imported goods.
- As markets tumble and recessionary concerns increase over Trump’s tariff implementation, a growing number of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have started to propose restoring congressional authority over tariffs.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), whose district previously included portions of Nassau County, announced plans Thursday to use a procedural move that would force a vote in the House on Trump’s tariffs against Canada. Meeks said in a post on X that he planned to force a vote "on ending the made up national emergency Trump is using to justify these taxes."
Tariff rationale
Trump in February ordered a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, arguing that both were not doing enough to curb drug trafficking. Both countries asked Trump to reconsider, with Mexico increasing military personnel and surveillance along the U.S.-Mexico border and Canada noting that only 0.2% of all fentanyl seized by U.S. authorities last year emanated from the Canadian border. But Trump ultimately moved ahead with the tariffs last month, while carving out some exemptions.
Trump has invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to declare the national emergencies behind his tariff orders. The Carter-era law grants the president the authority to issue emergency declarations "only in response to threats originating outside the United States."
Meeks’ effort builds on a similar effort by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) who introduced a resolution in the Senate on Wednesday calling on Trump to revoke the tariffs on Canada. Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted in favor of the joint resolution despite Trump's urging Republicans earlier to reject it.
McConnell, the former Senate majority leader, in a statement posted online called tariffs "bad policy," describing them as "a tax on everyday working Americans."
On Thursday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) filed a bill with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) calling for "congressional approval of unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch."
The measure would require the president to notify Congress of plans to launch new or increased tariffs within 48 hours and would require the president to provide an explanation for imposing the tariffs. The president would also need to provide an "analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers," according to the bill.
Congress would need to pass a joint resolution approving the new tariffs within 60 days, or they would expire after that time, and lawmakers would have the ability to terminate tariffs "at any time" by passing a resolution, according to the proposed bill.
"For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch," Grassley said in an online statement.
Grassley said the intent of the bill is "to reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy."
Cantwell, in a statement said, "Trade wars can be as devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear constitutional authority over war and trade."
"This bill reasserts Congress’ role over trade policy to ensure rules-based trade policies are transparent, consistent, and benefit the American public," Cantwell said.
A 'reckless approach'
Long Island’s two House Democrats denounced Trump’s latest tariff plan in social media posts, while the delegation’s two House Republicans refrained from weighing in publicly.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said "we’re already seeing the consequences of Trump’s reckless approach to global trade," in a social media post that linked to news of car manufacturer Stellantis announcing the temporary layoff of 900 U.S. workers after tariffs were imposed on auto plants in Mexico and Canada.
"Trump’s erratic policies are threatening our jobs, our businesses, and our financial security," Suozzi wrote in a X post. "Today, working people are the first to suffer. Stocks are down, and prices are going up."
Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) said she supports Grassley and Cantwell’s bill to increase congressional oversight over tariffs, and called on Trump to "reverse course," in an X post.
"My constituents already face a cost-of-living crisis: Long Islanders can’t afford a devastating trade war," Gillen said.
Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) did not return interview requests and as of Saturday afternoon had not posted any reaction to Trump’s tariff rollout on their social media channels.
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, continued to defend his tariff approach arguing it would ultimately lead countries to seek a better trade deal with his administration, even as other countries have vowed to initiate their own round of retaliatory tariffs.
"That’s the beauty of what we do," Trump said. "We put ourselves in the driver’s seat."
Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.
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Newsday Live Author Series: Michael Symon Newsday Live and Long Island LitFest present a conversation with James Beard Award–winning chef, restaurateur and New York Times bestselling author Michael Symon. Newsday's Elisa DiStefano hosts an in-depth discussion about the chef's life and new book, "Symon's Dinners Cooking Out," with recipes for simple dinners as well as entertaining a crowd.
