Warner, Kaine, Paul, Klobuchar & Schumer Refile Legislation to Challenge President Trump's Tariffs on Canada

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), announced that their legislation to undo President Donald Trump's International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs on Canada has been refiled. Since Trump launched his trade war with Canada, exports of U.S. distilled spirits declined by about 62 percent, and tourism from Canada to the U.S. fell by 33.9 percent. The legislation passed the Senate in a 51-48 vote in April but has not been taken up by the House of Representatives. It is privileged, so the Senate will be required to vote on it.

"Canada is a vital trading partner for Virginia, and the misguided tariffs that President Trump has placed on the country have already led to increased costs for families and businesses across the Commonwealth," said Sen. Warner. "I urge my colleagues to join me in sending a clear message: it's time to end the reckless trade policies that are hurting American consumers, small businesses, and our allies."

"It is time to end President Trump's senseless trade war with Canada, one of our closest allies and top trading partners. The American people overwhelmingly oppose it, and it has already done lasting damage to the bilateral relationship, which can be seen in declines in Canadian tourism to the United States, and declining sales of American products in Canada," said Sen. Kaine. "It is our responsibility as Congress to step in when the President abuses their authority. If the Senate once again passes a resolution to terminate this misguided trade war, the House should join us and say enough is enough."

"No president should be able to abuse emergency powers to bypass Congress and unilaterally impose import tariffs-taxes-on the American people," said Sen. Paul. "These tariffs hit families, farmers, and small businesses the hardest, and in Kentucky they devastate cornerstone industries like car manufacturing, bourbon, homebuilding, and shipping. Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority and stop this economic overreach before more jobs and industries are destroyed."

"The president cannot abuse his power to continue an unjustified trade war with one of our strongest allies. Canada is Minnesota's top trading partner, but the President's tariffs are jeopardizing that relationship-and adding costs for Minnesota families," said Sen. Klobuchar. "We should not raise costs, hurt businesses, and eliminate jobs by attacking our neighbor and ally."

"Upstate New Yorkers - and Americans across the country - are already paying the price for Trump's reckless and nonsensical trade war," said Leader Schumer. "His tariff tax has been felt on everything from groceries to new clothes. The tariffs and threats of economic instability have driven up prices, collapsed tourism, and stunted small businesses. It is beyond time for Senate Republicans to stand with us and stand up to Trump's economic devastation. Congress must side with American families, small businesses, and the global economy and say no to the false "national emergency" Trump announced to impose tariffs on Canada."

Specifically, the legislation would terminate the February 1 emergency declaration that President Trump used to launch his trade war with Canada, and would eliminate the tariffs on Canadian imports implemented as a result. President Trump's order cited the IEEPA, an unprecedented use of IEEPA's emergency provisions in the law's nearly half-century history. The IEEPA tariffs are the largest tax increase on American families in recent history. Public opinion surveys have overwhelmingly demonstrated that the American people do not support Trump's trade wars. According to a recent survey by Public First, 43 percent of American adults opposed applying tariffs to Canada. An Economist/YouGov survey found a majority of U.S. adults, 52 percent, were opposed to Trump's Canada tariffs.

In 2024, Canada was Virginia's largest export market, accounting for 15 percent of Virginia's exports. In 2022, top goods exports from Virginia to Canada included motor vehicles and transportation equipment, such as medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 56.1 percent of Southwest Virginia's economic output is dependent on trade.

In addition to Kaine, Paul, Klobuchar, Warner, and Schumer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

Full text of the legislation is available here.

###