U.S. Senate votes to repeal Trump’s tariffs on Canada

The U.S. Senate voted last week to overturn tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on Canadian imports — a major signal of a possible shift in Washington’s trade policy toward its northern neighbor. However, the resolution is non-binding and will not take effect unless approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the President.

Fifty senators supported the measure — all 46 Democrats and four Republicans who broke ranks with their party leadership. The tariffs, enacted under Trump’s declaration of a “national emergency,” were intended to pressure Canada and secure U.S. trade advantages.

The initiative came from Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who noted that rising consumer prices caused by the tariffs have forced some Republicans to reconsider their support for the President. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Canada’s retaliatory measures have hurt nearly 70,000 family farms in Kentucky.

The vote took place while Trump was in Asia pursuing another round of trade talks. The Senate’s decision sent a clear message — even amid global negotiations — that it is time to lift or revise the tariff regime with Canada.

For Ottawa, the decision carries a double meaning: it represents a chance to reduce trade barriers and restore a friendlier business climate, but also a reminder that even close allies can wield harsh economic tools when politics intervene.