NASHVILLE - U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said an "obviously not pleased" President Donald Trump called him today to ask he not proceed with proposed legislation limiting some of the president's authority over recently imposed trade tariffs.
But the Tennessee Republican said he plans to move ahead despite that.
"I talked at length with the president about it today," Corker told reporters in Washington. "He's obviously not pleased with this effort."
Corker has raised repeated concerns about Trump's use of national security provisions to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on some of the U.S.'s closest allies with the prospect of more to come on imports of vehicles and related parts.
The Chattanooga Republican, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the conversation as "fairly lengthy." As for whether Trump was objecting to the legislation, Corker replied, "Oh yeah" to reporters, according to an audio clip.
"It's a difference of opinion," Corker said. "He feels that this takes away this negotiating ability and this in no way takes away his negotiating ability. It's not any different from his meeting with Kim Jong Un and if they reach a deal him bringing it to Congress. I've explained it's exactly the same thing."
The president is using as his authority under under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Corker said he hopes to bring forth the legislation with bipartisan support later today and would like to attach it in the form of an amendment to another measure. But he acknowledged that won't be easy.
The senator said under the measure, Trump would have to bring forward any tariffs imposed under Section 232. They would be given expedited action by Congress.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.