Trump's new test: Republican leaders failed to block House vote on overturning tariffs against Canada
U.S. President Trump’s tariff policy is facing new challenges. The House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday on whether to overturn Trump's tariffs on Canada, after House Speaker Mike Johnson—Trump’s key Republican ally in Congress—failed in a last-ditch effort to block the vote.
In a vote in the House on Tuesday evening (Eastern time), three Republican lawmakers sided with Democrats, joining all Democratic members to reject Johnson's proposal to postpone the tariff vote until the end of July. The three "defectors" were Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Kevin Kiley of California, and retiring centrist Don Bacon of Nebraska.
Bacon stated on social media: "Congress needs to be able to debate tariffs. Tariffs have a net negative impact on the economy and are a significant tax burden being paid by American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers."
Commentators note that Wednesday’s vote will force House Republicans to choose between loyalty to the President and protecting economic interests. Since Republicans hold only a slim majority in the House, if all Democrats attend and vote in favor, Republicans can afford only one member voting with them; otherwise, the House will pass a resolution to rescind the tariffs on Canada.
The Senate already passed similar legislation in 2025 opposing Trump's tariff policy. Even if the House passes the resolution, Trump is very likely to exercise his veto power, making the vote largely symbolic.
Divisions within the Republican Party Emerge
The House will vote Wednesday on a resolution introduced by New York Representative Gregory Meeks to rescind the tariffs Trump announced on Canada in February 2025. Meeks is a senior Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; in a statement, he criticized, “The Speaker continues to abdicate responsibility, handing over Congress’s Article One powers to Trump.”
Johnson has for months built procedural barriers to protect Trump’s broad tariff authority from congressional challenges. His attempt to extend this ban until the end of July was defeated. On Wednesday morning, Johnson said on a media program: “This is the reality of a slim majority. I believe this is a serious mistake. As the President is negotiating ‘America First’ trade agreements with countries worldwide, we should not restrict his authority.”
The Republican-controlled Senate declared opposition to the policy last year, voting to relinquish White House global emergency tariff powers and repeal tariffs on Canada and Brazil. If the House passes similar legislation, it will represent substantial opposition to the President, though mainly symbolic.
Virginia Democrat Don Beyer said in a statement: “It’s encouraging to see a few Republicans finally stand up to Trump to stop this madness, and I hope more colleagues join them when considering ending tariffs on Canada and other key allies and trade partners.”
Midterm Election Pressure Intensifies
The vote comes amid midterm election season, with Democrats making Trump’s tariffs a key campaign issue, focusing on household affordability. The party argues tariffs are an inflation driver and have worsened the cost of living crisis.
Even if the House votes to overturn Trump’s tariffs, it is unlikely to force him to back down. A joint resolution needs the President’s signature to become law, or Congress must have a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto.
However, an unfavorable vote outcome, especially in an election year, will put political pressure on Trump and may force him to change course.
Johnson has told Republicans that the House should not vote on such issues before the Supreme Court decides whether the President overstepped authority in using emergency laws to impose global tariffs. Last year, House Republican leaders took steps to block such votes, although some Republicans staged small-scale resistance, which was eventually quieted by promising regular discussions on Trump’s trade policy impacts.
Trump Reportedly Considering Withdrawing from the USMCA
WallStreetCN previously reported that on Wednesday, Trump was considering withdrawing from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Sources say Trump has asked aides why the U.S. shouldn't withdraw, though he has not given a clear signal.
The agreement faces a mandatory review on July 1. What was originally seen as a routine process has turned into a contentious negotiation. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Tuesday that the government will hold separate talks with Mexico and Canada, considering relations with Canada more tense. She stated that Mexico is “quite pragmatic,” but talks with Canada are “more challenging.”
This agreement, covering about $2 trillion in goods and services, is one of the largest trade relationships in the world. If the U.S. withdraws, it will shake its foundation—even the threat of withdrawal is enough to unsettle investors and global leaders.
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