US House passes bill ending Canada tariffs amid Trump departure

US House of Representatives Advances Bill to Repeal Trump’s Canada Tariffs

A bill aimed at repealing President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada has passed the US House of Representatives with a vote of 219-211. The measure would roll back Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.

The bill was authored by Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks and saw several Republicans cross party lines to vote in favor of it. The vote comes as the country enters its midterm election season, with primaries set to begin in March and the general election in November.

Trump had threatened to derail the election prospects of any Republican who voted in favor of the bill, stating that those who do so will “seriously suffer the consequences come Election time.” He also accused Canada of mistreating the US on trade.

The bill now heads to the US Senate, where it is likely to pass. However, even if it passes the Senate, Trump is poised to veto the bill, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber to override his veto.

Polls have shown that Trump’s tariffs are largely unpopular with voters, who blame them for rising prices on various goods. The Pew Research Center found that 60% of respondents disapprove of Trump increasing tariffs, while only 37% approve.

The vote marks a rare rebuke from the Republican-led chamber against Trump’s administration. It comes as Republican representatives face the challenge of either bucking less-popular policies or remaining steadfast despite potential backlash at the ballot box.

Source: Al Jazeera