    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Pages S1435-S1436]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                       UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 348

      Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I rise today to seek unanimous consent for
    my STABLE Trade Policy Act with Senator Kaine, an act that would
    prevent any President from imposing tariffs on a U.S. ally or a free-
    trade agreement partner without congressional consent.

    [[Page S1436]]

      I will make that motion in just a moment, but let me, first, just
    explain what this is and why I am doing it.
      Next week, President Trump has announced plans to impose 25-percent
    tariffs on products coming into the United States from Mexico and
    Canada, our No. 1 and No. 2 trading partners.
      These tariffs will be disastrous for our economy and our national
    security. These tariffs will cost the average American household about
    $1,200 a year. They will raise costs for avocados, appliances, diesel
    fuel, dog toys, car parts, Christmas tree lights, tomatoes, and
    tequila. I could go on.
      Our economies are so closely integrated--the United States, Canada,
    and Mexico--that it will increase the cost of a GM pickup truck about
    $10,000.
      Even if these tariffs, at the last minute, are delayed, businesses
    are hurt by the uncertainty, which continues to increase costs.
      President Trump plans to follow those tariffs with reciprocal tariffs
    on the EU, which includes many of our critical NATO allies and closest
    partners.
      Imposing tariffs on our allies and partners diminishes our standing
    in the world and makes our neighbors less likely to help us in the
    future.
      It is no surprise that Americans think this is a terrible idea.
    Barely a quarter of Americans think imposing tariffs on Canada is a
    good idea. More than double that disapprove.
      President Trump has already declared an economic emergency to justify
    imposing these tariffs on Mexico and Canada, but my bill with Senator
    Kaine would prevent him from abusing long-established national security
    authorities to follow through on further tariff threats against our
    allies and FTA partners.
      The U.S. Constitution in the Commerce Clause, article I, section 8,
    gives Congress jurisdiction over trade policy. It is time that we take
    ownership back of controlling the ability to impose tariffs willy-nilly
    on our trusted partners and allies by passing this bill and reining in
    President Trump's costly and damaging ideas.
      So I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be
    discharged from further consideration of S. 348 and the Senate proceed
    to its immediate consideration; that the bill be considered read a
    third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered
    made and laid upon the table.
      The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
      Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, reserving the right to object.
      The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
      Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I rise to
    discuss some issues with Senator Coons' request for unanimous consent
    for the Senate to pass S. 348, the STABLE Trade Policy Act.
      Senator Coons is a good friend and a great ally, and, reluctantly, I
    stand to oppose this motion on this particular procedure.
      First, Senator Coons and I agree about much on trade policy,
    including the need for the United States to have more high-standard
    free-trade agreements, like the United States-Mexico-Canada trade
    agreement, or USMCA. We should ensure that the commitments in those
    agreements are respected.
      The last administration not only refused to negotiate new trade
    agreements but undermined U.S. rights under them when it waived our
    intellectual property rights under the WTO TRIPS Agreement and without
    informing Congress, attempting to remove the rights of American
    investors under the USMCA.
      Second, I also agree that we should not undertake tariff actions
    lightly on our allies or free-trade agreement partners.
      We should, however, take care before we say that all options are
    completely off the table. In fact, all of our free-trade agreements
    provide exceptions for when parties can remove economic benefits,
    including on national security grounds.
      I don't recall anyone suggesting that the Biden administration could
    not impose sanctions on Nicaragua last year because it was a CAFTA
    party. Instead, we recognized that legitimate national security
    grounds, including Nicaragua's human rights abuses, warranted the
    economic pressure.
      Third, it was only yesterday that we confirmed Jamieson Greer as the
    U.S. Trade Representative to serve as the principal adviser on trade
    issues. He told the Finance Committee that he wants to work closely
    with Congress.
      There are a lot of good things we can do together. For instance, we
    can negotiate new agreements and reinvigorate congressional executive
    partnerships on trade.
      The STABLE Trade Policy Act is, accordingly, too blunt of an
    instrument when nuance is called for, including the option of tariffs
    in some instances.
      With that, I object to Senator Coons' request.
      I yield the floor.
      The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Budd). The objection is heard.
      The Senator from Delaware.
      Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I understand that Senator Crapo, the
    chairman of the Finance Committee, a supporter of President Trump, has
    blocked this bill today. I hope to find ways to work with him on
    improving market access and on elevating the quality and the
    capabilities of U.S. trade engagement with our partners. But I really
    don't understand why President Trump seems so intent on harming one of
    his signature accomplishments, the USMCA.
      I am disappointed because Congress gave the President authority to
    impose tariffs in the event of a national security crisis. Congress did
    not grant this power to pursue petty grudges against trusted neighbors.
      Honestly, how can anyone be angry with Canadians? They are the nicest
    people in the world. Yet here they are, working with us, pleading with
    us to not impose ruinous tariffs that would harm their economy and
    ours.
      I will briefly, then, just make, again, a few simple points. I am
    disappointed that President Trump isn't doing more to reduce costs. He
    was elected, in no small part, because of high inflation and promised
    it would come down on day one.
      These tariffs, if imposed, will make inflation worse and hit the
    lowest income Americans the hardest. It will impact American business,
    American families, and American communities.
      So I hope that working together with my friends and colleagues here
    in the Senate, we can find ways to lower costs on pharmaceuticals and
    automobiles and microchips. But imposing reciprocal tariffs on trusted
    friends and allies and sparking tariff wars in our region and around
    the world is not the way to do that.
      Two-thirds of Americans already think that President Trump isn't
    doing enough to lower costs. Blocking this bill will only accelerate
    that if President Trump continues to act unwisely and bully and
    threaten our closest and most trusted partners.
      We must find a better way forward together.
      I yield the floor.
      I suggest the absence of a quorum.
      The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
      The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
      Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
    the quorum call be rescinded.
      The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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