Representative Greg Stanton is backing the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, legislation to stop the President of the United States from imposing import tariffs under the guise of a national emergency without Congressional approval. The move comes after President-elect Donald Trump announced he would impose a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada.
After Trump’s announcement, Stanton said, “I’ve led trade missions and worked to pass trade deals, including the massively successful USMCA free trade agreement enacted under Trump. Starting a trade war with our biggest economic partners will only serve to devastate Arizona businesses and raise prices for consumers.” As Mayor of Phoenix, Stanton led 18 trade delegations to Mexico and Canada.
These tariffs would hit Arizona’s economy especially hard—according to the University of Arizona, the state imported $11.8 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2023 and $2.6 billion from Canada. The two nations represent 40% of Arizona’s imports.
The president has broad authority to declare emergencies in response to national security or economic threats under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The law was intended for the president to be able to impose financial sanctions on hostile foreign nations that pose an emergency threat to the nation. It was never meant to allow a president to indiscriminately impose tariffs without Congressional approval.
The Constitution clearly states that “Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties … and to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations.” Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, and no president, Democrat or Republican, should have the power to raise taxes on the American people without the consent of Congress. The Prevent Tariff Abuse Act would clarify that the imposition of duties or quotas on the importation of goods is prohibited under IEEPA.
The legislation is sponsored by Representatives Suzan DelBene of Washington and Don Beyer of Virginia. The text of the legislation can be found HERE.