Sen. Wyden Moves to Strip Trump's Broad Tariff Authority
Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden introduced legislation to limit presidential tariff powers, calling Trump's trade actions an abuse of authority.
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden introduced legislation Thursday aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's sweeping authority to impose tariffs unilaterally, marking one of the most direct congressional challenges yet to the administration's aggressive trade posture. Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, framed the bill as a necessary check on executive overreach.
Wyden did not mince words in announcing the measure, accusing Trump of having "abused every trade authority at his disposal." The senator singled out new tariffs levied on Canadian goods as a particularly egregious example, labeling them a "shakedown" of one of America's closest trading partners and allies.
Read more Canada's Carney Calls New 50% US Tariffs a USMCA Violation →
The legislation reflects mounting frustration among lawmakers — primarily Democrats, though some Republicans have quietly voiced concern — over the administration's reliance on broad statutory trade powers to impose duties without direct congressional approval. Critics argue those powers were never intended to be wielded this expansively or as a persistent tool of economic pressure.
Whether the bill advances in a Republican-controlled Senate remains highly uncertain. GOP leaders have largely deferred to Trump on trade matters, and the White House has shown no inclination to scale back its tariff agenda. Still, the introduction of the bill signals that congressional pushback is intensifying and could complicate the administration's trade strategy heading into future negotiations.
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