GOP Reportedly Getting Ready To Block Trump’s Tariffs

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Trump recently announced a set of tariffs that will soon be implemented on steel and aluminum imports, despite Republicans mostly opposing the decision. Steel will receive a 25% tariff, while aluminum will be hit with one of 10%.

In recent days, numerous GOP legislators have publicly spoken about their intentions to undo these tariffs, which have been widely criticized as a sure way to spark a trade war between the U.S. and multiple countries.

Sen. Orrin Hatch said he believes “there’s a good chance” the party will nullify them. He added, “I’m disappointed because we just passed a tax bill and this kind of flies in the face of that.”

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who’s retiring after this year, has introduced a bill giving Congress the authority to oversee trade reforms, and he promised to work to make sure that Trump’s tariffs “are never enforced.”

Others have also spoken out against Trump’s decision but say they still believe they can work with him to reach a common ground.

The tariffs have already prompted threats of retaliation. The European Union is reportedly preparing a 25% tariff on U.S. imports.

Trump’s stubbornness in imposing in own tariffs is just an attempt at appeasing his base. Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to impose tariffs on foreign countries as a way to secure the jobs of steel workers and others. Still, his promise to go after China, one of the countries he attacked most for not playing fair when it comes to trade, is one of the least affected by the tariffs he proposed.