【By Observer Network, Wang Kaiwen】The absurd and chaotic trade policy of US President Trump has become unbearable for the Republican members of the US Congress.

Last week, seven Republican senators in the Senate expressed support for a bipartisan bill aimed at restricting Trump's unilateral power to impose tariffs. In the House of Representatives, Republican congressman Don Bacon is drafting a similar bill.

According to reports by American media Axios, Bacon revealed on April 8 that at least a dozen Republican congressmen in the House are considering signing this bill. Trump directly accused these Republican congressmen who oppose him of "rebellion" and "grandstanding."

On April 3, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington State and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa jointly proposed the "2025 Trade Review Act." This act requires the U.S. President to notify Congress within 48 hours when imposing new tariffs or increasing existing ones, explaining the impact of tariff measures on American businesses and consumers. Additionally, all new tariff measures will automatically expire after 60 days unless Congress passes a resolution approving the tariffs during this period.

Chuck Grassley (left) and Maria Cantwell via American media

Grassley, former chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, stated that the proposal of this bill aims to "reassert the constitutional role of Congress and ensure that Congress has a voice in trade policy."

In the Senate, seven Republican senators have already expressed support for the above bill.

Don Bacon recently stated that he is drafting a companion bill for the "2025 Trade Review Act" in the House of Representatives. "Now is the time for Congress to reclaim its powers," Bacon told CBS News on the 6th. He said that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to impose tariffs and taxes, but "we handed some of these powers to the executive branch, and in hindsight, I believe that was a mistake."

Bacon said that this bill currently has "some initial support" in the House.

He revealed to Axios on the 8th that federal Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd from Colorado and Dan Newhouse from Washington State have already signed as co-sponsors of the bill, and "ten others are also considering doing so, but they want to talk to the trade representative first."

Don Bacon via American media screenshot

A Republican congressman in the House of Representatives who claimed to be a co-initiator of the bill stated that although Trump's tariffs have had some "positive effects," they have also severely impacted farmers in his constituency. Fearing backlash from the White House, this Republican congressman requested anonymity.

Axios mentioned that some House Republicans who were originally inclined to support the bill later cited Trump's threats as a reason not to support it.

On April 8 local time, Trump spoke at a fundraising dinner for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). While boasting about his "reciprocal tariffs" that made some countries "kiss my ass," he criticized those who "drag their feet" within the Republican Party.

"I see some rebellious Republicans, some people who want to grandstand, saying 'I think Congress should take over negotiations.' Let me tell you, you won't negotiate like me," Trump said, adding that if Congress took over tariff negotiations, they would "quickly sell out America."

Trump also said that discussions in Congress to restrict his tariff powers would damage negotiations, and that fake news would try to stir up such emotions anyway since there was no chance.

According to Axios reports, the White House recently stated that Trump will veto the bill proposed by Cantwell and Grassley. "Once passed, this bill will severely hinder the President's power and responsibility to formulate foreign policy and protect national security," read a government policy statement delivered to congressional offices on the 7th.

Recently, Trump has faced challenges from Republican members of Congress more than once. On April 2, the same day Trump initiated the "epic trade war," the U.S. Senate passed a resolution proposed by Democrats to cancel the 25% tariff on Canadian goods with a vote of 51 to 48.

Thanks to four Republican senators switching sides, including Mitch McConnell, former leader of the Senate Republicans, the resolution passed despite the Republican majority in the Senate.

In response, Trump criticized the four on social media, calling them "difficult," "disloyal," and suffering from the "blindly opposing Trump delusional syndrome."

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who voted in favor, previously warned that tariffs bring political destruction. "When McKinley imposed tariffs in 1890, they lost 50% of their seats; when the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act began in the 1930s, we lost control of the House and the Senate for 60 years. Therefore, this is not only bad for the economy but also bad for politics," Paul said.

This article is an exclusive contribution by the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491198890176266804/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Welcome to express your attitude by voting under the [upvote/downvote] buttons below.