On 11/2, a resolution to terminate the national emergency President Donald Trump invoked to impose tariffs on neighboring Canada passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The vote, 219 in favor and 211 against, saw a number of Republican lawmakers side with Democrats, marking a rare defeat for GOP leadership despite their control of the chamber with 218 seats to Democrats' 214.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, initially attempted to block the vote. He pushed for a procedural change, asking lawmakers to await a Supreme Court ruling in a tariff lawsuit. However, his efforts failed late on 11/2 when several Republican lawmakers disagreed with the procedural change, paving the way for the House to vote on the Democrats' resolution.

House Speaker Mike Johnson at a press conference on 11/2 at Capitol Hill. Photo: AFP

Although largely symbolic, this marks one of the few times a Republican-controlled House has directly opposed the President on a tariff policy bearing his distinctive mark. Lawmakers are under increasing pressure from constituents due to the economic impact of trade disputes. Businesses are caught in trade wars, and citizens grapple with high living costs and prices.

President Trump believes tariffs are a powerful tool to force U.S. trade partners to negotiate. However, the vote highlights growing unease within the House Republican party regarding the President's direction, especially as midterm elections approach and economic issues gain voter attention.

"Today's vote is simple: Will you vote to lower living costs for American families, or will you keep prices high out of loyalty to one person, Donald Trump?" said Gregory Meeks, the Democratic representative who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee and introduced the resolution.

According to AP, this pivotal vote reveals unease within the House Republican party regarding President Trump's direction, as midterm elections approach and voters increasingly focus on economic issues.

This House action follows earlier dissent from the Senate, which also voted against President Trump's tariffs on Canada and several other nations. For a tariff reversal to take effect, both chambers must pass a resolution, which then goes to the President for approval or veto.

The White House maintains that the flow of illegal drugs from Canada poses an unusual and serious threat, allowing the President to impose tariffs on imports outside the terms of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada trade agreement.

The resolution will now move to the Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans. Even if it passes the Senate, President Trump retains veto power.

Duc Trung (According to AP, Washington Post, Hill)