The US Senate has voted 51-47 to end the national emergency President Donald Trump declared to justify sweeping global tariffs imposed in early April.
The measure, however, carries little weight. The House of Representatives earlier passed a rule blocking such tariff-blocking bills until March, rendering the Senate action largely symbolic, according to The Washington Post.
Most Republicans opposed the resolution. Yet four from their ranks sided with Democrats to support terminating the emergency.
Bipartisan Pushback Builds
This marks the third such rebuke this week. Earlier, the Senate passed resolutions with cross-party backing to scrap duties on goods from Canada and Brazil.
Such moves signal growing unease among lawmakers over Trump’s heavy-handed tariff strategy to overhaul US trade ties, The Washington Post noted.
The Emergency Declaration
Trump invoked the national emergency in April, citing a “large and persistent trade deficit” in global relations.
This led to a 10% tariff on imports from all countries. He layered on extra “reciprocal” rates for nations with the biggest imbalances against the US.
Court Challenge Looms
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments on the tariffs’ legality on November 5.
Two lower courts already deemed them unlawful. Trump has appealed those rulings.
Economic Toll Mounts
Through August, the tariffs have generated about $88 billion in revenue for the US, per Customs and Border Protection figures.
The Tax Foundation projects a steeper cost: an extra $1,600 per household yearly in taxes, plus a 0.5% dip in gross domestic product over the next decade.
