Corker, Flake Say Senate Must Resist Tariffs
Two Republican senators who are retiring this year believe some of their colleagues will take a stand against the protectionist approach of the Trump administration. "Republicans need to stand up to tariffs," Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said during a June 24 interview. "We're in the nascent stages of a full-scale trade war, and the president simply seems to want to escalate." He said until a bill (see 1806220014) that would require a vote on Section 232 tariffs moves, "I think myself and a number of senators, at least a few of us, will say, 'Let's not move any more judges.'"
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Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said in separate June 24 interview that he's not trying to tackle the actions against China. But when it comes to Section 232, "it's absolutely an abuse of his authorities. It's being used against our European allies, Canada, Mexico," he said, and the only justification he's been given from the White House is that it will be useful "to create leverage on NAFTA." When asked how he could get the bill requiring Congress to vote on Section 232 tariffs to pass, Corker replied, "I think there's a jailbreak brewing, I really do," especially as retaliatory tariffs start to bite.