NASHVILLE – Despite a personal call from President Donald Trump urging he not do so, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., along with a bipartisan coalition of senators, introduced legislation Wednesday to require congressional approval for the president’s tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, as well as potential new ones.
“While we all agree on the need to ensure the international trade system is fair for American workers, companies and consumers, unfortunately, the administration is abusing the Section 232 authority delegated to the president by Congress,” said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a news release.
Among the bill’s other sponsors are U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., both of whom have voiced concerns over the president’s invoking of a national security provision – Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 – to slap Canada, Mexico and the European Union with tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S.
Lamar Alexander, left, and Bob Corker are shown in this composite photo.Prior to introducing the bill, Corker revealed to Washington-based reporters that Trump personally called him and asked that he not proceed with the legislation.
“He’s obviously not pleased with this effort,” the former Chattanooga mayor said.