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The Republican-led U.S. Senate has passed legislation to repeal President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Brazil, marking a major step in the ongoing battle over U.S. trade policy. The measure, which aims to terminate the national emergency Trump declared in July in retaliation for Brazil’s prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro, was approved by a 52-48 vote. Five Republican senators — Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis — joined Democrats in supporting the bill.
The legislation now moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where it is likely to stall. House Republicans have consistently blocked attempts to repeal Trump’s tariffs on Brazil and other nations. Additional bills addressing Trump’s tariffs on Canada and global imports are expected to be debated later this week.
Senate Democrats argue that Trump’s emergency declarations were unjustified and have worsened inflation by driving up prices for essential goods. “People are suffering. They’re paying more for food, clothes, healthcare, and building supplies because of President Trump’s tariff policy,” said Senator Tim Kaine, the Virginia Democrat who authored the resolution.
The Senate vote came as Trump embarked on a five-day diplomatic trip to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, with a meeting scheduled with China’s President Xi Jinping for trade talks.
Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods and sanctioned the Brazilian Supreme Court justice overseeing Bolsonaro’s case, accusing Brazil of undermining U.S. national security and politically persecuting Bolsonaro. The former Brazilian president has been convicted of organizing a coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison, though he continues to deny any wrongdoing.
While Trump recently signaled openness to lowering tariffs “under the right circumstances,” the Senate’s decision underscores growing bipartisan frustration with his trade policies.
