Grassley says he wants to rein in Trump tariff powers

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyTrump trade deal faces uncertain Senate timeline On The Money: CBO projects B deficit rise in first quarter of 2020 | Grassley looks to rein in Trump tariff powers | IRS audits drop to lowest level in decades Grassley says he wants to rein in Trump tariff powers MORE (R-Iowa) said Wednesday that he wanted to advance legislation reining in presidential authority on tariffs in 2020.

“That’s been a goal of mine and is still a goal,” Grassley said of legislation to reform section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which President TrumpDonald John TrumpPence: Intelligence shows Iran directing militias not to attack U.S. targets Mnuchin aims to wait until end of 2020 to disclose Secret Service costs for Trump’s travel: report Pressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment MORE has used to impose major tariffs on close U.S. trade partners.

Section 232 gives the president authority to impose tariffs for national security purposes. Trump’s trade critics accused him of abusing the authority by imposing steep steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies such as Canada, Mexico, the European Union and Japan.

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Trump later scrapped the tariffs on Canada and Mexico after they agreed to an updated North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump has also threatened to use the authority to impose tariffs on automobile imports from the European Union and Japan.

Grassley has long discussed imposing congressional oversight on section 232 authority, and said he thought there was enough will to advance legislation this year.

“It may be just the committee working its will, but I think that there’s enough desire in my committee to do something about 232,” he said Wednesday.

“I think as far as my committee is concerned, 232 is the best we could do in legislation,” he added.

Grassley noted that he had yet to discuss the prospect with the committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenSenators introduce resolution warning that Congress has not authorized Iran war Grassley says he wants to rein in Trump tariff powers How Congress can help curb skyrocketing prescription drug prices MORE (Ore.).

Last month, Wyden said he was open to working out a response.

“I am all for putting some guardrails in this administration’s unpredictable and chaotic trade policy. We haven’t been able to find the solution yet, but I am ready to continue to work with the chairman to find a legislative solution that will garner wide bipartisan support,” he said.

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