Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sánchez (CA-38) led all of their Ways and Means Democratic colleagues in urging President Trump to end his trade war threats against Canada and Mexico.

Last month, the Trump administration proposed tariffs on some of our largest trading partners that are expected to increase costs on the average American household by over $1,200 per year and slow U.S. economic growth. The lawmakers argue that President Trump is blatantly disregarding the law, did not properly consult with Congress, and his brazen executive overreach is unconstitutional. 

“[The] use of tariffs as a bargaining chip to settle non-trade issues is counterproductive to the goal of revitalizing manufacturing and bringing back American jobs,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the president. “The wellbeing of American workers, families, and businesses should never be gambled for the sake of scoring political points. We strongly urge you to retract your order for these damaging tariffs on our North American partners and recommit to strengthen, rather than upend, our shared efforts to secure supply chains and bring good paying jobs back to our communities from China.”

Additional signers of the letter include; House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (MA-01), and Representatives Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Mike Thompson (CA-04), John Larson (CT-01), Dany Davis (IL-07), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Don Beyer (VA-08), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Stevey Plaskett (VI-AL), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03).

In January, DelBene introduced legislation that would reinforce that the president cannot impose tariffs using emergency powers without Congress’ approval.

The full letter can be found here.