Senate blocks bid to repeal Trump-Era Tariffs amid slump

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Thursday, May 1st, 2025

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WASHINGTON – In a closely contested vote, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday rejected a bipartisan resolution aimed at dismantling former President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff regime. The move came just hours after the Commerce Department reported a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy for the first quarter of 2025 the first such decline in three years.
The resolution, spearheaded by senators from both major parties, sought to curb the executive branch’s unilateral authority to impose tariffs without congressional oversight. Supporters argued that Trump’s continued use of Section 232 tariffs originally justified on national security grounds has increasingly become a burden on American manufacturers, farmers, and consumers, especially as economic headwinds mount.
“American families are paying the price for outdated trade policies,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who backed the measure. “We need accountability and fairness—not blanket tariffs that drive up costs.”
However, opponents, largely Republicans aligned with Trump, defended the tariffs as vital tools to protect domestic industries and counteract unfair trade practices, particularly from China.
The resolution’s failure means the tariffs will remain in place, with critics warning that continued trade tensions could further hinder economic recovery. The 0.3% decline in GDP has raised fresh concerns among economists, especially as inflation remains persistent and interest rates high.
The White House downplayed the economic dip, attributing it to temporary factors and expressing confidence in a rebound later in the year. Still, the tariff debate underscores a broader divide in Washington over America’s trade future and its impact on global competitiveness.
The resolution’s defeat also signals the enduring influence of Trump-era policies—even as the nation heads into another presidential election cycle