Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a longtime Republican lawmaker and co-sponsor of legislation aimed at reining in presidential power over trade, voiced concern on Tuesday that Congress has gone too far in handing over its constitutional authority.
Speaking during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the administration’s trade agenda, Grassley said, “The Constitution gives Congress the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. I believe that Congress delegated too much authority to the president in the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the Trade Act of 1974.”
Grassley emphasized that he supports President Trump’s broader goals of reducing trade barriers and securing stronger deals for American farmers and manufacturers, particularly in negotiations with China. But he made it clear that his concern lies in the growing use of unilateral tariffs and the long-term consequences of those actions.
“I’ve made it very clear throughout my public service that I’m a free and fair trader,” Grassley said. “That said, I support President Trump’s agenda to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers other countries impose on American goods.”
His remarks come at a time when Trump’s expansive use of trade tariffs especially the new 10 percent base tariff applied to nearly all imports from foreign partners is drawing criticism from both parties. Many countries have already responded with retaliatory tariffs, creating more pressure on American exporters.
Grassley said he has been cautious but vocal in his approach, choosing to “wait and see” how these tariff policies play out. However, he noted that if the administration uses the tariffs simply to raise revenue rather than as leverage for fairer trade deals, it would lose his support.
“My question to you is: In the medium to the long term, do you plan to turn these tariffs into trade deals to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers?” he asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during the hearing. “I support that. On the other hand, if the purpose is to stall on negotiations in order to keep tariffs high for the sole purpose of feeding the U.S. Treasury, I oppose that.”
Grassley’s remarks reflect a growing divide within the Republican Party. While many lawmakers back Trump’s efforts to take a hard stance with foreign nations on trade, others are becoming increasingly uneasy with the scope and impact of his tariff policies particularly as inflation rises, global markets react negatively, and U.S. industries begin to feel the pinch.
The comments also add fuel to bipartisan efforts in Congress to scale back the president’s power to impose tariffs without congressional approval an idea that’s gaining momentum as concerns grow about how long the U.S. economy can sustain such a confrontational trade policy.