The United States House of Representatives has passed a resolution seeking to overturn tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the administration’s trade policy toward one of America’s closest allies.
Lawmakers approved the measure in a 219-211 vote, with six Republican representatives breaking ranks to join Democrats in supporting the resolution. Despite the House vote, the proposal is widely viewed as symbolic, as it must still clear the Republican-controlled Senate and ultimately receive presidential approval — an outcome political observers say is highly unlikely.
Trump has taken an increasingly aggressive stance on trade with Canada since securing re-election. His administration introduced tariffs targeting Canadian imports last year and recently escalated tensions by warning of a potential 100-per-cent import tax if Canada proceeds with a proposed trade agreement involving China.
During the House vote, Trump publicly warned fellow Republicans against opposing his tariff strategy. In a post on Truth Social, he said any Republican voting against tariffs would face political consequences during upcoming elections. Trump also argued the tariffs have strengthened both the U.S. economy and national security, urging party members to maintain support for the measures.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally, attempted to prevent debate on the tariffs from reaching the House floor but was unsuccessful. With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, the defection of six members, combined with unified Democratic support, allowed the resolution to pass.
The resolution was introduced by Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, who accused Trump of using tariffs as a geopolitical tool against traditional allies. Meeks argued the policy has strained U.S.-Canada relations, increased consumer costs domestically, and risked pushing Canada toward closer economic ties with China.
Nebraska Republican Representative Dan Bacon was among those who crossed party lines, reflecting growing unease among some GOP lawmakers about the broader economic and diplomatic consequences of the tariffs.
The measure now moves to the Senate, where Republicans also hold majority control, presenting another significant obstacle. Even if the resolution clears the upper chamber, Trump’s approval would still be required for it to become law.
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariff strategy faces an additional challenge through the courts. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to deliver a ruling soon in a case examining whether the president has the legal authority to impose the tariffs in question, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for U.S. trade policy.
