The Senate on Wednesday held a vote to overturn President Donald Trump’s plan to impose harsh tariffs on Canada. The resolution, which doesn’t hold the force of law, passed the Senate with a 51 to 48 vote. Four Republicans joined their Democrat colleagues in voting against the tariffs.
Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell opposed the tariffs. The vote came after Trump made his “Liberation Day” announcements from the White House’s Rose Garden, during which he announced reciprocal tariffs on nations around the globe.
Trump had levied tariffs against Canada in a move that created rancor between the United States and her northern neighbor. Canada is in the midst of a snap election where Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party and as prime minister, will face off against Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre. The trade war with the United States is a key part of the conversation in that election.
In imposing those tariffs, Trump cited border security both for human and drug smuggling. Senate Majority Leader John Thune opposed those Republicans who opposed the tariffs, telling them that their vote would be nothing