Sen. Pat Toomey Backs Bill to Rein in Trump Trade Authority

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said Friday that he would support legislation to rein in the trade authority of President Donald Trump.

Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs imposed on the European Union, Canada, and Mexico are a bad idea that would end up harming the U.S.’s economic progress, Toomey said in a series of tweets.

Bad news that @POTUS has decided to impose taxes on American consumers buying steel and aluminum from our closest allies--Canada, the EU, and Mexico (with whom we run a trade surplus on steel). In addition to higher prices, these tariffs invite retaliation.

— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) May 31, 2018

Claiming steel bought from our allies is a 'national security' threat weakens our credibility. These tariffs, i.e. taxes, hurt American workers, employers, and consumers.

— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) June 1, 2018

I'll be cosponsoring @SenMikeLee's bill, S.177, to rein in the executive branch's power to impose unilateral tax increases like these.

— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) June 1, 2018

Congress should assert its constitutional responsibility and lead on trade policy so Americans keep access to affordable goods and services, and the opportunity to sell our products abroad.

— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) June 1, 2018

If this devolves into a full-blown trade war, the resulting harm will undo all of the great economic progress we’ve made with deregulation and tax reform.

— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) June 1, 2018

The bill, if it passes, would require congressional approval for Trump’s trade actions, including tariffs, The Hill reported. http://thehill.com/policy/finance/390273-gop-senator-to-back-bill-to-rein-in-trumps-trade-authority

Other senators that support the bill are Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Ben Sasse, R-Neb., The Hill reported.

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