Senate Blocks Trump Tariffs on Brazil
Five Senate Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday night to pass a resolution aimed at blocking President Donald Trump’s tariffs on billions of dollars of Brazilian goods. The legislation targets Trump’s emergency declaration that imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian imports.
Bipartisan Support
The measure passed with a 52-48 vote. Republican Senators Thom Tillis (N.C.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine), and Mitch McConnell (Ky.) joined all 47 Democrats in supporting the resolution.
Despite this bipartisan effort, the Senate vote is largely symbolic. The House is unlikely to consider the resolution anytime soon. Last month, the House passed a measure that prevents votes challenging Trump’s tariffs until next year.
Congressional Procedures
Democrats forced a vote on the so-called “privileged measure.” This procedural move allowed the resolution to reach the floor without requiring the majority party’s consent. Only 51 votes were needed for passage.
The measure mirrors a similar Senate vote in April that sought to block Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products. Of the five Republicans who voted for the Brazil resolution, all but Tillis also supported the Canada measure. That earlier resolution stalled in the House.
International Context
Trump met this week with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Malaysia. Both leaders indicated that a trade deal between the U.S. and Brazil is likely.
Trump initially enacted the tariffs in response to the trial of his ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil’s Supreme Court sentenced Bolsonaro to over 27 years in prison for plotting a coup to retain power after the 2022 election.
Originally, Trump imposed a 10% tariff in April. He later increased it to 50% in July, following Bolsonaro’s trial.
Next Steps
The White House did not immediately comment on the Senate vote. Likewise, the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had not responded regarding the measure’s potential consideration in the House once the current block on tariff votes expires.
