Congress Freaks Out Over Trump’s Tariffs, But Won’t Stop Him

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On Thursday, a wave of anxiety swept through Capitol Hill as President Donald Trump’s trade policies led to a significant downturn in the markets, marking the worst day since the pandemic began in 2020. Analysts warned that the situation could worsen.

While many Republican lawmakers attempted to sidestep direct criticism of Trump, underlying frustrations became evident as their messages conflicted with those from the White House. While legislators claimed that the new tariffs were merely a starting point for negotiations, the administration insisted they were final. Lawmakers’ frantic inquiries to Cabinet officials regarding the impact on their districts resulted in vague responses rather than concrete assurances. Even those Republicans who typically support Trump began to show signs of impatience as their phones rang off the hook.

Trump aims to compel companies to manufacture goods within the U.S., with the hope of revitalizing domestic industry. However, economists express skepticism, and even some of Trump’s staunch supporters fear that the initial phase could be tumultuous. Historically, midterm elections tend to be unfavorable for the party in the White House, and Republicans are quickly coming to terms with the possibility that Trump’s disruptive policies could jeopardize their prospects of maintaining congressional control next year.

“None of this has been carefully considered,” remarked a Republican lobbyist attempting to reassure her members. “The calculations don’t add up. The end goal is unclear. The political landscape is chaotic. This is a disaster waiting to happen, and it will cost Republicans seats.”

Not long ago, Congress had some influence over the tariffs imposed on foreign nations. However, Trump has declared the trade imbalance with global partners a national emergency, allowing him to exercise powers that enable him to impose tariffs without significant checks. This has resulted in a minimum 10% tax on most imported goods, with tariffs on certain items from China reaching as high as 79%.

In simple terms, this isn’t the trade adjustment that Republican lawmakers would have envisioned if they had been consulted. Nevertheless, don’t expect any significant pushback against Trump’s directives anytime soon, regardless of their frustrations.

A few Republicans are attempting to rein in Trump’s unpredictable trade policies, but these efforts are unlikely to gain much traction. As reported by TIME’s Nik Popli, Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa whose constituents could suffer greatly if export markets are restricted, is backing a bill that would require Congress to approve tariffs within 60 days of an announcement from the White House. However, the chances of this bill receiving adequate support—or even a vote—in the GOP-controlled House are almost nonexistent. Grassley’s proposal has irritated the White House but amounts to little more than a minor annoyance. A similar symbolic attempt to repeal penalties against Canada, which swiftly passed the Senate on Wednesday, is expected to meet the same fate.

Looking ahead, the Senate landscape for 2026 still seems favorable for Republicans, with Democratic retirements in competitive states such as New Hampshire, Michigan, and Minnesota providing a glimmer of hope for GOP strategists looking to expand their majorities. However, the argument for electing Republicans will become increasingly challenging as clothing and grocery prices rise, and housing developments stall due to the high cost of Canadian lumber.

This retaliatory trade stance has long been a part of Trump’s perspective. He believes the U.S. is being taken advantage of and perceives an inherent bias against American manufacturers. He feels empowered to rectify this situation for what he refers to as the little guy. However, this approach is likely to backfire politically for a president who returned to office promising to combat inflation, reduce costs, and reform Washington, along with his party members who are willing to go along with his agenda.

Republicans on Capitol Hill recognize that these developments will not only harm American citizens but also threaten their own political futures. This is why, amidst a growing sense of urgency, they are increasingly alarmed. Yet here’s the dilemma: while they understand the negative implications for nearly everyone involved, they are unlikely to wield their congressional power to persuade Trump to reconsider. Their current situation may seem dire, but they consider confronting a president who leads a vengeful movement to be an even worse outcome. This is not a moment characterized by political courage in Washington. Instead, many Republicans are contemplating which route will inflict the least amount of pain for their own interests. It’s a troubling way to manage a superpower.

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