President Trump on Tuesday bashed Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) over a resolution that would undercut the basis for tariffs on Canada and urged Republicans to vote against it.
Kaine has put forward a resolution that would end an emergency declaration Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canada, citing the flow of fentanyl into the United States. A vote is expected on Wednesday in the Senate.
“We are making progress to end this terrible Fentanyl Crisis, but Republicans in the Senate MUST vote to keep the National Emergency in place, so we can finish the job, and end the scourge,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“By their weakness, the Democrats have allowed Fentanyl to get out of hand. The Republicans and I have reversed that course, strongly and quickly," Trump said.
“Major additional progress is being made. Don’t let the Democrats have a Victory,” Trump added. “It would be devastating for the Republican Party and, far more importantly, for the United States.”
If Kaine's resolution garners enough Republican support to pass the Senate, it would still need to pass the GOP-led House.
Trump has imposed a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, Mexico and China on the grounds that those countries have not done enough to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
Experts have noted relatively little fentanyl enters the U.S. via its northern border. Federal data shows authorities have seized less than 1.5 pounds of fentanyl at the U.S.-Canada border since January.
The president signed off on exemptions for goods imported from Canada and Mexico that meet the criteria of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement signed in 2020.
Economists, Democrats and even some Republicans have warned that prices will go up for American consumers because of Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs.
