Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement condemning President Trump’s misuse of emergency authorities to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico and announcing his intent to introduce Resolutions to terminating the authority 

“The tariffs announced today on two of America’s largest trading partners – Mexico and Canada – aren’t just bad policy, they’re a direct hit on hardworking American families. Make no mistake, Mexico and Canada won’t be footing the bill, you will. Tariffs are just another tax, and this one will cost American families an extra $1,200 each year as a result of higher prices. These reckless tariffs threaten American jobs, drive up the cost of living, and push our economy closer to a recession.  

“Donald Trump is not a king. Presidents don’t get to invent emergencies to justify bad policies. Abusing emergency powers to wage an economic war on our closest allies isn’t leadership – it's dangerous. Worse yet, while these tariffs do nothing to stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States, they weaken the alliances we need to shore up our border and protect our national security. Donald Trump should stop waging war on our closest allies and stand up to Putin and our adversaries. I intend to introduce resolutions that will stop his tariffs from driving up the cost of living. My resolutions, consistent with the Congressional authority under the National Emergency Act, terminate the President’s manufactured emergency to stop this abuse of power and protect American families from skyrocketing costs.”