Limiting Tariffs
You’ve heard Sen. Charles Grassley on KXEL suggest he was not a big fan of tariffs. His statement following the “Liberation Day” orders by the President Wednesday said while he’d give the President credit if they worked, he’d be watching closely to see if they had a disproportionate adverse impact on Iowans.
Then yesterday, he and Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state introduced bipartisan legislation to restore Congress’ constitutionally authorized role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. You’ve again heard the Senator speak on KXEL about Congress’ failure to exercise its legal authority and giving up territory to the executive branch and especially agencies within it.
The Trade Review Act of 2025 would require congressional approval of unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch, including the requirement that Congress must pass a joint resolution of approval on a new tariff within 60 days or else that import tariff would expire…and beyond that, Congress could end any tariff any time by passing a resolution of disapproval. The Grassley camp says this bill would restore Congress’ authority over tariffs as set forth in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. It would also require a president to notify Congress of an imposition of a new tariff, or increase in a current tariff, within 48 hours.
Given the Senator’s clearly expressed view over time that Congress has not exerted its lawful power in so many respects, this bill is not an anti-Trump move so much as it’s a pro-Congress move. But it’s also a sign that while certain goods can withstand a multi-month trade war…agriculture products cannot…so it’s a good sign someone is looking out for Iowa’s ag producers.
