[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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