Tariffs

Dear Editor,

Foxnews.com recently reported that Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell have introduced the Trade Review Act of 2025. This bill will require the President to notify Congress of any new tariffs within 48 hours of imposition. It also requires the President to provide an explanation of the rationale along with an analysis of the tariffs’ potential impacts on the U.S. economy. Congress would have to approve the new tariffs within 60 days or allow them to expire. Politico reported that at least three other Republican senators have signed on as cosponsors of the bill. Senators Lankford and Mullin have yet to say whether they support the new bipartisan bill.

Foxnews.com quoted some of Senator Grassley’s remarks when he introduced the bill. ‘For too long, Congress has delegated its clear authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive branch.’ And that he was joining Senator Cantwell in introducing the bill to ‘reassert Congress’ constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice on trade policy.’ Senator Cantwell said Trump’s tariffs would hurt sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and technology and have reverberating effects on consumers. ‘Ultimately, consumers will pay the price. It’s time for Congress to take action to counter the President’s trade war.’

Reuters.com reported that Senator Cantwell also said that Trump’s tariffs risked long-term damage to the U.S. economy. ‘We can’t afford a trade war that lasts for two or three years, leaving our product off the shelves. We cannot have arbitrary policies that create chaos and uncertainty.’ Reuters noted that Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska has announced he will introduce a companion bill to the Trade Review Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives.

In a televised interview on Fox Business, Senator Mullin was asked if Congress should have power over tariffs. He said ‘It’s something we need to look at,’ and ‘I’m OK with some type of happy medium, because I think there always should be checks and balances. But the devil is always in the details, and I don’t really always trust Congress’ ability to move quickly enough to stand up with today’s economy.’

I agree with Senator Mullin that checks and balances are needed. I believe that the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 is an appropriate mechanism to achieve well thought out trade policies that benefit us in both the short and long term. Oklahoma buyers receive products from 142 nations and territories, and our country is now a dominant player in international trade. The tariff policies of the past few months may well have the unintended consequence of many of our trading partners taking their business elsewhere. They need our business today but are surely now looking to become less reliant on trade with the U.S., which will have a significant negative impact for all of us.

Contact Senators Mullin and Lankford and Representative Brecheen to let them know you want them to support or not support the Trade Review Act of 2025.

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, MULDROW