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Senior Democrats say the new Congress will move quickly to end President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, with Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin telling CBC News the party hopes to act within the first 100 days after taking power in January. "That's one of the reasons we won Congress back — because we're going to put an end to these tariffs," Raskin said on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee who was re-elected to a sixth term on Tuesday, said Congress holds the power over trade. "Congress controls taxes and tariffs under the Constitution. Congress regulates commerce internationally and domestically. And so we're gonna do everything in our power to make it very clear that we have not imposed 50 per cent tariffs on our democratic allies and friends in Canada," he said. "We want to tell our democratic allies around the world, especially our best friends like Canada, that the forces of democracy and freedom have won in this Congress, and we are going to be moving very quickly to restore normal ties."
The pledge follows Tuesday's midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. The Associated Press called 249 House seats for Democrats, with 12 more races leaning their way, and Democrats flipped at least seven Senate seats — in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. The new Congress is seated in January.
CNBC reported that Democrats intend to repeal Trump's extensive tariff measures immediately after the new Congress convenes in January, and to introduce legislation strengthening congressional authority over import tariff decisions. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has made tariff repeal part of the party's cost-of-living agenda, alongside restoring expanded health insurance subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts.
Vermont Senator Peter Welch, along with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, introduced a bill in September that would repeal the Trump administration's 50 per cent tariffs and import bans on Canadian goods. "We can't force the president to sign the legislation we put on his desk, but we can pass it in good faith. And then if he signs it, great. America wins," Welch told CBC's Power & Politics.
There are still obstacles. Even with control of both chambers, Democrats lack the two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate needed to override a presidential veto, and Trump can veto any repeal bill. After the results, Trump posted an image of a red MAGA-style hat reading "VETO", although he told Politico: "I don't want to be just sitting there for two years vetoing everything."
On the Canadian side, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Ottawa's strategy is unchanged in the short term and that trade talks are conducted with Trump and his cabinet. "They remain in office today. And those are the people with whom we'll be having those conversations," he said. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the White House has shifted its stance on some of what he called Canada's "red lines", including language requirements and Canada's ability to strike trade deals with other countries, and that the two leaders will meet in China later this month. Canada has been seeking a deal to lower steep tariffs on Canadian goods, including autos, steel, aluminum and softwood.
Trump had already signalled some movement on the trade file, telling Fox News on Tuesday morning that he was close to a deal.