US Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Block Trump's Threatened Tariffs on Brazil

Bipartisan Effort to Counter Tariff Threat

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. Senators has introduced legislation aimed at blocking former President Donald Trump's recently threatened 50% tariffs on imports from Brazil. The group, including Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), and Senator Angus King (I-ME), filed the bill on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

The proposed legislation seeks to terminate the emergency declaration made by former President Trump on July 30, 2025, which served as the basis for imposing these tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Senators argue that Trump's use of IEEPA for this purpose constitutes an abuse of executive power and is unconstitutional.

Context of the Tariffs

The threatened 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods are reportedly linked to Brazil's ongoing prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a political ally of Donald Trump. Senator Kaine stated, 'President Trump's tariffs on Brazilian goods, which he imposed to try and stop Brazil's prosecution of one of his friends, is outrageous.' Senator Wyden echoed this sentiment, saying, 'Trump is going to make Americans pay more for coffee, hamburgers and housing, not to get a better deal for U.S. workers or families, but to pressure Brazil to let their corrupt former president off the hook.'

This recent development follows an earlier instance in December 2019, when then-President Trump announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Brazil and Argentina, citing a 'massive devaluation of their currencies' that he claimed was harming American farmers.

Economic Impact and Congressional Authority

Lawmakers opposing the tariffs warn of significant negative economic consequences for both the United States and Brazil. They highlight that trade between the two nations supports approximately 130,000 U.S. jobs, and Americans import over $40 billion annually from Brazil, including nearly $2 billion worth of coffee. The senators contend that these tariffs would increase costs for American consumers on everyday goods and could potentially push Brazil closer to China.

The bill introduced is a 'privileged resolution,' a procedural tool that allows it to bypass certain legislative hurdles and force a vote in the Senate. This mechanism aims to compel senators to formally record their stance on the President's use of tariff powers.

Previous Legislative Challenges

This is not the first time U.S. Senators have attempted to curb presidential tariff authority. Earlier this year, the Senate narrowly passed a resolution to nullify tariffs imposed by Trump on Canada, with bipartisan support. However, that effort did not advance in the House of Representatives. The current bipartisan push underscores ongoing concerns within Congress regarding the executive branch's unilateral power in trade policy.