The U.S. House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, has passed a resolution to overturn U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada.
The resolution passed in a vote of 219-211, with several Republican lawmakers crossing the aisle to support it.
The resolution’s passage is seen as a political blow to Trump and his signature economic policy.
Prior to the vote, Trump warned Republicans in the House that there would be consequences for going against him on tariffs.
“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!” Trump posted on social media.
The tariff resolution was introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York state.
The Republicans who voted to overturn the tariffs on Canada are mostly situated in swing districts where tariffs are deeply unpopular with voters and businesses.
The Democratic side of the House erupted in cheers when the resolution passed. The legislation now heads to the Senate, the upper chamber of Congress, where it’s expected to pass.
The effort to end the tariffs on Canadian goods and services is largely symbolic though as Trump is likely to veto the legislation when it reaches his desk.
That said, many political pundits said that the vote shows that tariffs, particularly on neighbouring Canada, are likely to become an issue in the U.S. midterm elections this fall.
The vote to end the tariffs may also give Canada some leverage as it heads into a scheduled review of its current free trade agreement with the U.S. and Mexico this summer.
Last year, Trump levied tariffs as high as 25% on Canadian-made automobiles and motor vehicle parts, as well as on steel and aluminum.
The Trump administration has largely respected items that are covered by the current Canada-United Stated-Mexico Agreement on Trade, exempting them from tariffs.
However, Trump continues to threaten to impose additional tariffs on Canada. He has also threatened to scrap America’s free trade agreement with Canada altogether.
