4 GOP senators side with Dems in vote to oppose Trump's tariffs

On Thursday, the Senate voted to disapprove President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs in trade, with four GOP senators joining with the Democrats. Thursday’s vote sought to terminate the national emergency power Trump invoked to implement his reciprocal tariffs from earlier this summer, which range from 10 to 50 percent on imports from various countries.  

The measure narrowly passed, 51–47, with Republican Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) Mitch McConnell (R-KY) , Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Susan Collins (R-ME) siding with Democrats.  

However, the vote is largely symbolic as House Republican leaders have postponed any votes on tariff-related measures until March, and even if the House were to act, Congress would still need a two-thirds majority to override a veto from Trump.  

During a trip to Asia, Trump touted tariffs as leverage for negotiating new trade agreements and attracting foreign investment and he was able to negotiate a trade deal with China, set to lead to a more open market for rare earth minerals, soybean purchases from China, as well as the curbing of fentanyl flowing into the US. Trump lowered tariffs on China in response to the deal.  

"There is enormous respect between our two countries, and that will only be enhanced with what just took place," Trump said on Truth Social. "We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved." 

Paul was a cosponsor of the resolution from this week and was critical of the president’s use of a 1977 emergency statute for using the tariffs. Trump has said that the situation with trade in the US has been a national emergency, a notion Paul took issue with.