senate republicans Defy Trump, Vote to End Brazil Tariffs
WASHINGTON – In a rare bipartisan rebuke of former President Donald trump, the Senate voted Wednesday to eliminate tariffs imposed on Brazil, signaling growing Republican willingness to challenge his trade policies. The 68-32 vote demonstrates a fracture within the party over Trump’s use of tariffs as leverage in foreign policy disputes, even as he seeks a return to the White House.
The move directly counters Trump’s decision this summer to levy the tariffs against Brazil, ostensibly to pressure the country over what he characterized as a politically motivated legal case against his ally, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. The Senate action underscores a rising tide of concern among lawmakers – and within the business community - regarding the economic uncertainty created by tariffs enacted for reasons beyond traditional trade negotiations.
The tariffs were triggered by Trump’s claim that Brazil was unfairly targeting Bolsonaro, who was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to subvert the 2022 election results. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressed his opposition to the tariffs following a closed-door meeting, stating, “I just don’t think there’s a rational basis for it. If you start allowing that… that creates a big uncertainty in the business community.”
The vote saw a significant number of Republicans joining Democrats to overturn Trump’s policy. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) were among those who voted to end the tariffs. The measure was co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY).
This isn’t the first instance of Republican dissent regarding Trump’s tariff policies. In April, the Senate successfully blocked tariffs on Canada with a similar bipartisan coalition, highlighting a growing trend of lawmakers asserting their constitutional authority over trade matters. The outcome of Wednesday’s vote sets the stage for potential future clashes between the Senate and a possible second Trump administration regarding trade policy.
