Congress Loved Tariffs Long Before President ‘Tariff Man’ Trump
US legislators have historically preferred import barriers to free trade.
Illustration: Ishaq Fahim for Bloomberg
As US President Donald Trump raises tariffs on imports from friends and foes alike, support is building in both parties to give Congress a greater role overseeing foreign trade. The president may be a self-proclaimed “tariff man” — but Congress, the thinking goes on Capitol Hill, could rein in his protectionist instincts by asserting its right to approve new or increased duties on foreign goods.
Critics of Trump’s bull-in-a-china-shop approach should be careful what they wish for. Historically, most senators and representatives have zealously preferred higher import barriers to freer trade. They are unlikely to champion a more open US economy.