Cantwell Speaks on Trump’s Latest Tariff Announcement: “We’ve Seen America on a Rollercoaster”

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, spoke on the Senate floor in response to President Donald Trump’s latest announcement that he would issue a 90-day pause on some tariffs while simultaneously increasing tariffs on Chinese goods.
“While we've seen America on a rollercoaster the last couple of days, I think it also is a reminder that we need to continue to play this oversight role,”Sen. Cantwell said.“The best way to do that is to make sure that Congress continues to play a role in this very important policy.”
Yesterday, shepressed United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greeron the administration’s slapdash implementation of sweeping tariffs without input or accountability to Congress. Later that evening,she appeared on MSNBC’s All In With Chris Hayesto discuss the chaos wrought by this administration’s tariff policies:“The plan is not clear. The outcome that the President seeks is not clear,”she said.
A video of her remarks on the floor tonight can be watchedHERE;a transcript isHERE.
Sen. Cantwellintroduced a bipartisan billon Thursday to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy, and reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs.
READ MORE:The Wall Street Journal: Senators Move to Rein In Trump’s Power on Tariffs
HEAR MORE:NPR: Sen. Maria Cantwell says there is bipartisan support to rein Trump's tariffs
WATCH MORE:Forbes: 'I Don't Know What You Think': Maria Cantwell Laces Into US Trade Rep Over Trump's Tariffs
The bill has since picked up12 additional cosponsors– an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats – and beenendorsed by multiple major U.S. business organizations,including theNational Retail Federation, which is the largest retail trade association in the world.
In addition, a bipartisan group has introduced a companion version of Sen. Cantwell’s legislation in the House of Representatives, also cosponsored by equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats.
The bill restores Congress’ authority and responsibility over tariffs as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution by placing the following limits on the president’s power to impose tariffs:
The full bill text is availableHERE.
For the past three months, President Trump has been sowing economic chaos across the country with unpredictable and ever-changing tariff announcements. His back-and-forth announcements and actions, which have whipsawed American businesses and consumers, as well as close neighbors and allies, include: