A number of Republicans in Washington are starting to sour on President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade agenda. Count Sen. Mike Lee among them.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Republicans in Congress are worried that Trump’s vow to scrap big trade deals in favor of bilateral agreements, plus imposing tariffs on countries that break trade rules could negatively impact the economy. Trump has already withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and wants to renegotiate NAFTA.
Lee is particularly concerned about the threat of tariffs.
If Mr. Trump follows through on threats to raise tariffs “it could cause some dire economic consequences,” said Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee. “I hear about it constantly when I talk to people throughout my state.” Mr. Lee, who has long backed a greater role for Congress, this year introduced a bill that would strip the president of powers to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
