WASHINGTON — In a significant shift from President Donald Trump’s trade policy, several House Republicans aligned with Democrats to pass a resolution ending the national emergency at the northern border that led to tariffs on Canada over a year ago. The resolution, passed by a vote of 219-211, overturns Trump’s Feb. 1, 2025, executive order imposing tariffs on Canadian goods, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The legality of using the 1970s IEEPA law for such tariffs is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments in November, with a decision pending for months. Republican representatives Don Bacon, Brian Fitzpatrick, Jeff Hurd, Kevin Kiley, Thomas Massie, and Dan Newhouse voted against the Trump tariffs.
Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, was the sole Democrat opposing the resolution. Two Republicans, Greg Murphy and Riley Moore, abstained from voting. The vote followed a recent rebuke by three House Republicans who joined Democrats to block efforts to prevent disapproval resolutions against Trump’s tariffs.
Trump’s fluctuating economic policy has faced criticism for creating business uncertainty and increasing costs for consumers. Recently, Trump threatened to close a new bridge between Ontario and Michigan unless a new U.S.-Canada trade deal is negotiated. On his platform Truth Social, Trump also speculated that if Canada partnered with China, it could impact Canadian ice hockey.
‘Canada is our friend’
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., criticized Trump’s “manufactured emergency” involving Canada. “Canada isn’t a threat. Canada is our friend. Canada is our ally,” Meeks remarked, highlighting historical alliances. He noted tariffs cost constituents up to $1,700 annually, emphasizing affordability for Americans. Analyses from the Tax Foundation and Yale Budget Lab show household costs from tariffs ranging between $1,300 and $1,750.
Fentanyl debate
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., argued the resolution affects fentanyl-related overdose deaths, not income loss. Mast noted, “This resolution ends an emergency related to fentanyl.” However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals more fentanyl seizures at the southwest border than the northern one. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency states China is the start of the fentanyl supply chain, moving through Mexican labs to the U.S.
Trump’s 2025 executive order acknowledged fewer fentanyl seizures from Canada but noted enough to harm millions.
Senate action so far
A few Republican senators have opposed some of Trump’s emergency tariffs. In late October, Senators Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Thom Tillis voted 52-48 to end Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods. Trump declared a national emergency and imposed tariffs on Brazil on July 30, accusing the government of “politically persecuting” former President Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a coup. This Senate vote marked a change from previous efforts to counter Trump’s tariffs, including those on Canadian imports.
