U.S. senator introduces bill to reel in Trump’s tariffs
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A Democratic U.S. Senator is trying to reel in President Donald Trump’s tariff powers after a 50% duty was slapped on a wide range of Canadian goods this week by the American leader.
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Ron Wyden, who represents Oregon and is the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, introduced a bill Wednesday that seeks to eliminate Trump’s use of certain trade statutes while also giving Congress more say in the matter on the remaining tariffs.
“Donald Trump has pushed the boundaries of power on trade and tariff policies like no other president we’ve seen before,” Wyden said in a statement, reports CNBC.
“That’s why I am introducing a bill to put Congress back in the driver’s seat on international trade. Congress must reassert its authority over trade and tariffs to stop any president from being able to unilaterally change the worldwide economy at the click of a button.”
Bill in response to latest tariffs targeting Canada
Dubbed the Congressional Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026the bill comes two days after Trump used a nearly 100-year-old trade law — the Tariff Act of 1930 — that allows him to enact retaliatory tariffs on Canadian products.
Wyden faces an uphill battle as Republicans control the House of Representatives and Senate. However, it remains to be seen if there are any Republican members who would support the 35-page bill.
Even if the bill does pass in Congress, Trump could veto it.
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On social mediaWyden called the latest tariffs levied on Canada “yet another shakedown that will raise costs for farmers, families and small businesses.
“Trump and his cronies can’t be trusted with the American economy.”
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Democrats not doing enough: White House
A White House spokesperson accused Wyden and other Democrats of not doing enough to help transform the U.S. economy by attracting jobs and investments, as well as evening out trade imbalances with other countries.
“If Wyden actually cared about America and Americans, he would work with the President to build on the trillions of investments that he has secured with tariffs, not play foolish political games that accomplish nothing,” Kush Desai said in a statement to CNBC.
The 50% tariffs, which would kick in Aug. 19 after they were announced by Trump on Monday, target a wide range of Canadian goods including alcoholic beverages, milk products, natural honey, hockey sticks, plywood, cement, perfumes, candles, dog leashes and wigs.
However, the Trump Administration is not targeting energy products like oil and electricity, potash, critical minerals, and fish.
‘Canada very tough on us’: Trump
On Tuesday, Trump explained the latest tariffs are in response to stubborn Canadian leaders over the decades on free trade.
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