Senate Democrats Grant Trump 500% Tariff Power for Russia Sanctions Despite Trade-War Fears
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 27
Senate Democrats Grant Trump 500% Tariff Power for Russia Sanctions Despite Trade-War Fears
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 27
Summary
Nearly all Senate Democrats backed a sanctions package giving President Donald Trump limited tariff authority tied to Russia, with only nine Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul voting no.
The measure lets Trump impose tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports and up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian energy, including countries such as China and India.
Supporters said the authority is narrowly confined to punishing Kremlin-linked trade, and Sen. Raphael Warnock said he secured assurances from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that the power would stay limited to those buyers.
Opponents including Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren warned the vote handed Trump a tool he could use to pressure trading partners and raise U.S. prices, especially after his new 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian goods.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal argued courts would block any attempt to stretch the law beyond its terms, echoing earlier rulings against Trump’s broader tariff actions.