US Democrats Block Trump Tariffs, Submit 'Presidential Tariff Abuse Prevention Act'

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, announced that he would impose high tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China immediately upon taking office in January next year, prompting the U.S. Democratic Party to introduce a bill prohibiting unilateral tariff imposition by the president.

According to the U.S. Congressional legislative system on the 28th (local time), Representative Suzan DelBene (Democrat, Washington) submitted the "Tariff Abuse Prevention Act" to the House of Representatives together with Representative Don Beyer (Democrat, Virginia).

The bill, supported by eight Democratic members of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, aims to eliminate the tariffs and import quotas imposed by the U.S. president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Enacted in 1977, the IEEPA allows the U.S. president to declare a state of emergency in response to national security or economic threats and take economic measures such as trade and financial sanctions.

Representative DelBene stated, "The International Emergency Economic Powers Act is not a law that allows the president to impose tariffs indiscriminately without congressional approval," adding, "The Tariff Abuse Prevention Act is intended to limit the president's emergency powers and provide necessary oversight before any future president, whether Democrat or Republican, takes tariff measures that could increase the burden on the American people."

However, the current House of Representatives will soon end its term and be completely reconstituted in January next year. In the 119th Congress, which convenes in January next year, the Republican Party is expected to hold the majority in both the House and Senate, making it unlikely that a bill restricting President-elect Trump's authority over tariffs and other economic measures will pass in Congress.

President Joe Biden, who is set to leave office in January next year, responded to questions about Trump’s tariff plans by saying, "I hope he reconsiders. This is unproductive," and added, "We must not start damaging our relationships with Mexico and Canada."