Should Congress Nullify Trump’s Tariffs on Steel & Aluminum? (S. 2538)

What is S. 2538?

(Updated April 18, 2021)

This bill would nullify the 25 percent tariff on steel and the 10 percent tariff on aluminum imposed by the Trump administration. The tariffs (ie taxes on imports) are focused on China and exempt Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and South Korea.

Argument in favor

Tariffs increase costs to American consumers and make U.S. companies less competitive through protectionist policies. Trade should be as free as possible, as nobody wins in a trade war.

Argument opposed

The Trump administration’s tariffs are primarily aimed at protecting American steel and aluminum industries from China’s abusive trade practices, and responsibly exempt key U.S. allies.

Impact

American consumers; American businesses; and countries which would’ve had tariffs imposed on their steel and aluminum exports to the U.S.

Cost of S. 2538

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced this bill to nullify the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports:

“You can be pro-growth or pro-tariff, but you cannot be both. Those who have reservations about these tariffs ought to support this bill. Those who have expressed admiration for free trade or supply-side economics ought to support this bill. Those who are happy with the economic growth we have recently achieved and are interested in seeing it continue ought to support this bill. We in Congress cannot be complicit as this administration courts economic disaster. I urge my colleagues to join me in exercising our constitutional oversight to invalidate these irresponsible tariffs.”

This legislation has the support of one cosponsor, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).

Media:

• Sponsoring Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) Press Release
  
• Associated Press
  
• Roll Call