Trump Would Reject Tariff Oversight Legislation Due to National Security Concerns, Says White House
The White House has expressed that a bipartisan Senate bill would significantly restrict the president’s power to impose tariffs and manage foreign policy.
On April 7, the White House indicated that President Donald Trump would veto a bipartisan Senate bill designed to increase congressional authority over tariffs if it were to reach his desk. They cautioned that this legislation would undermine the executive’s capacity to address foreign threats and safeguard national security.
The OMB highlighted that the bill would limit the president’s ability to establish new tariffs by mandating congressional approval within 60 days and requiring notice to Congress within 48 hours of imposing or raising duties.
“The Administration stands firmly against S. 1272, the Trade Review Act of 2025,” the OMB declared. “By necessitating Congressional approval for nearly all tariff increases, S. 1272 would greatly limit the President’s ability to utilize powers long recognized by Congress and affirmed by the courts to react to national emergencies and foreign threats.”
This legislation was introduced last week by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who argue that Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over trade. Cantwell stated on the Senate floor that the bill aims to promote a “rules-based” trading system and avoid sudden tariff policies that could disrupt financial markets.
“We cannot allow arbitrary policies to create chaos and uncertainty,” Cantwell remarked. “Such chaos and uncertainty stifle business investment and complicate stock market evaluations of future investments based on predictability.”
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Cantwell compared the initiative to the War Powers Act of 1973, asserting that it is a necessary measure to prevent presidential overreach in areas directly impacting the U.S. economy.
She remarked that the recent tariffs targeting a wide range of trading allies could jeopardize long-established global partnerships and trade deals beneficial for U.S. exporters and manufacturers.
“Trade wars come with lasting repercussions,” she stated. “They devastate American families, small businesses, and manufacturers.”
The White House contested this view, framing tariffs as an integral part of Trump’s comprehensive trade strategy aimed at opening new markets, boosting domestic industry, and securing supply chains.
“The Trump Administration is implementing policies to prioritize America in trade by creating new market opportunities for U.S. farmers, enhancing wages for American workers, pursuing reciprocal trade, and bringing back essential manufacturing vital for our national security,” the OMB clarified. “Tariffs are a vital element of that approach, and this bill contradicts those objectives.”
The administration cautioned that the legislation would diminish the agility and responsiveness necessary to react to foreign economic actions and argued that requiring congressional approval for tariff decisions would reduce U.S. leverage in trade negotiations.
“S. 1272 removes leverage over foreign trading partners, hinders reshoring and supply chain resilience, creates market uncertainty, and introduces procedural micromanagement that diminishes the energy and urgency needed by the President to guarantee the nation’s security effectively,” the statement articulated.
However, Cantwell maintained that modern global competition—particularly in advanced technology—demands stability and predictability for U.S. enterprises to thrive.
“We cannot afford a prolonged trade war that could leave our products unavailable,” she asserted.
“I have consistently voiced my opinion that Congress has assigned too much power over trade to the executive branch under both Republican and Democrat administrations,” he stated.
Some Republican members have voiced specific concerns regarding aspects of Trump’s tariff policies.
“I would have preferred more targeted tariffs to address the instances where countries take advantage of us, and possibly a more measured approach regarding the amounts,” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) shared with reporters.
The bill has garnered bipartisan support in the Senate—Moran and fellow Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Thomas Tillis (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are co-sponsors. However, it faces a significantly tougher challenge in the House of Representatives.
