Trump Threatens ‘Consequences’ For Republicans Who Defied Him On Canada Tariffs

The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a bipartisan resolution rebuking President Donald Trump’s tariff policy toward Canada, prompting the president to warn Republican lawmakers of political consequences if they sided with Democrats.

In a social media post following the vote, Trump wrote that “any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!” The statement signaled his willingness to back primary challengers against GOP members who oppose his trade agenda.

The measure, authored by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), would terminate the national emergency declaration Trump used to justify the tariffs. However, undoing the tariffs would still require Senate approval and either Trump’s signature or a veto override.

Six House Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in supporting the resolution: Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), and Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.).

The vote marks one of the first major legislative challenges by House Republicans to a central element of Trump’s economic policy. Some GOP lawmakers have raised concerns about the tariffs’ impact on consumer prices and cross-border trade.

The tariffs were imposed under a national emergency declaration citing illicit drug and trade concerns. Critics argue the policy has increased costs for businesses and consumers while straining relations with Canada, the United States’ largest trading partner.

The Hill continues:

These decisions have strained international relations with these countries and faced broad opposition from Democratic lawmakers. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimated that these tariffs resulted in an average tax increase of $1,000 per U.S. household last year — a cost that could increase by several hundred dollars this year if these policies stay intact, the group said.

Trump doubled down on his use of tariffs to negotiate new deals with U.S. trading partners in his Wednesday post. 

“In addition, TARIFFS have given us Great National Security because the mere mention of the word has Countries agreeing to our strongest wishes,” he wrote. “TARIFFS have given us Economic and National Security, and no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege.”

The resolution now moves to the Senate, where its chances appear slim due to the Republican majority and the likelihood of a presidential veto.

READ NEXT: New Allegations Tie Foreign Influence To Anti-ICE Activism