Over the past week, the U.S. Senate has held three separate votes seeking to revoke President Trump’s broad authority to impose tariffs — powers he has exercised extensively since taking office. Several Republican senators sided with Democrats in these largely symbolic votes, as such resolutions have little chance of passing the House and would almost certainly face a presidential veto.
Behind the scenes, however, Republicans have been quietly advancing more practical measures aimed at curbing Trump’s trade policies. Analysts say these votes and subtle acts of resistance reflect growing anxiety within the GOP over the potential political fallout of Trump’s trade agenda among voters.
Vice President JD Vance was dispatched to Capitol Hill last week to urge Senate Republicans to oppose three Democratic resolutions seeking to end the state of emergency Trump invoked to justify his global tariffs.
But when Vance arrived, he reportedly engaged in heated discussions with Republican senators from cattle-producing states over a White House plan to quadruple beef imports from Argentina each year at reduced tariff rates.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas described the meeting as a “frank and robust exchange” — a phrase often used in Washington to refer to tense or confrontational discussions.
Senator John Cornyn emphasized that Republicans “don’t want the administration giving any foreign imports an advantage over American producers.”
“I think the vice president got the message, and I’m sure he’ll pass it along,” Cornyn said.
Just hours later, the Senate passed a resolution ending Trump’s 50% tariff on Brazil, with support from several Republicans. The following night, senators voted 50–46 to end some of Trump’s tariffs on Canada. On October 30, a third resolution passed 51–47, overturning reciprocal tariffs imposed on more than 100 trading partners.
Most Republicans still defend Trump’s trade policies, arguing that while tariffs may cause short-term pain, they will ultimately reshape the global economy to be fairer for American farmers, manufacturers, and business owners.
Senator John Hoeven acknowledged that “farmers are very concerned and facing difficulties,” but said he believes Trump’s approach will deliver results.
“President Trump has always worked to secure better trade deals and increase sales. It’s not an easy process,” he said.
Others, however, see the fallout as evidence of serious flaws in Trump’s strategy. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voted for all three anti-tariff resolutions, noting that the trade war has hurt auto manufacturers, farmers, and bourbon distillers in his state.
“Consumers are paying higher prices because the real cost of trade barriers falls on them,” McConnell said. “Protectionists in the White House insist recent months have proven the wisdom of their trade war against both allies and adversaries. But Kentuckians know better.”
Senator Susan Collins, who also supported the resolutions, recently warned in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that Trump’s 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum have worsened challenges for Maine’s lobster fishermen, driving up the price of nearly every piece of equipment they use.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said Vice President Vance’s trip to Capitol Hill showed that the White House knows its own party is “genuinely worried” about the economic damage caused by the tariffs.
“The White House wouldn’t send the vice president if they weren’t concerned,” Kaine said. “He came to rally Republicans — but five still broke ranks.”
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also voted to lift tariffs on Brazil. He argued that the U.S. enjoys a trade surplus with Brazil and that Trump’s tariffs were a form of retaliation against the current Brazilian government for prosecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro, a close Trump ally, on coup charges. Tillis called the tariffs “arbitrary,” saying they had destabilized U.S. producers and consumers.
The Senate votes came as Trump struck a new trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping, ending China’s boycott of U.S. soybeans and other farm goods. But this achievement did little to calm Republican fears that Trump’s approach could still harm American industries.
Senator Rand Paul stressed that the Constitution grants Congress — not the president — the power to impose tariffs. He said Trump’s trade barriers have driven up prices for essential goods.
“Tariffs have failed economically and constitutionally, and they need to be reversed,” Paul said.
Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether the president has the authority to implement sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, first enacted under President Jimmy Carter.
Meanwhile, Republicans who opposed the resolutions dismissed them as politically motivated attacks on Trump. Senator Josh Hawley argued that Trump acted within the bounds of existing law.
“They’re just saying, ‘We don’t like this tariff or that tariff,’ but have they introduced any legislation to change those laws? No,” Hawley said.