Congressman Smith represents the American district with the most farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Democrats on Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith's trade subcommittee are urging Congress to apply its authority over tariffs to protect U.S. farmers.

Washington Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is questioning President Trump’s authority to move forward with tariffs against Mexico and Canada without congressional approval.

DelBene, a Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced a resolution to prevent a U.S. president from imposing tariffs under the guise of a national emergency.

She spoke at a trade subcommittee hearing chaired by Republican Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith.

DelBene: “My colleagues - my Republican colleagues in particular-  are going to allow President Trump to raise taxes on the American people without a say. That should be a job of this committee. The Constitution is very clear about this. Congress, not the President, has the power to impose taxes and tariffs and to regulate foreign commerce. That is one of the basic functions of the Ways and Means Committee.

"My Republican colleagues used to agree with this back when there was a Democrat in the White House. In 2023 Chairman Jason Smith said that President Biden’s trade initiatives sidestep Congress and the Biden Administration,  ‘unfortunately has refused to recognize that the Constitution requires Congress be at the center of U.S. trade policy.’

"He further stated, in order to succeed, the administration must recognize the Congress is in the driver’s seat in setting priorities and deciding whether to approve any trade agreements. Yet, if the President’s 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico go through, the President would be, in effect, withdrawing the United States from the bipartisan USMCA trade agreement that Congress overwhelmingly approved of.

"In a 2022 op-ed Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith said ‘a successful trade agenda will require close cooperation with Congress every step of the way. This coordination is not optional.’

"Yet there has been absolutely zero coordination with Congress on trade under the Trump Administration. President Trump has already drastically abused the law when he announced tariffs under emergency powers and clearly violated the statute by not – as the law requires – consulting with Congress before exercising any emergency powers.”

Rep. Smith issued a press release pushing for a fair playing field regarding tariffs on American digital products. He has also been outspoken about keeping the dangerous heroin substitute fentanyl out of the country.

Politico reports that Smith said he is not a fan of sweeping tariffs but recognizes that the President is bent on using them.

Smith recognizes that retaliatory tariffs could impact agriculture. He credited Trump for negotiating the USMCA in his first term.

DelBene: “According to USDA and I know the chairman talks about this regularly, Nebraska’s Third Congressional District, which Chairman Smith represents, has over 60,000 farmers, more than any other district in the country. Congresswoman Fischbach’s Minnesota district has the second most farmers with over 50,000. Congressman Feenstra’s Iowa district has the third most farmers. But what is being done to protect farmers? Are we not concerned about the massive retaliation against our farmers that a trade war brings?”

Rep. Smith commented on President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress saying getting the country back on track includes standing up for hardworking agriculture producers.

Smith earlier introduced an undertaking for a trade agreement with the United Kingdom, now that is has left the
European Union. He said Congress should keep pace and empower vigorous engagement, but does not say whether a U.S. President would have authority to impose or remove tariffs on the United Kingdom at his whim.

A Nebraska Examiner story in February of 2024 said Rep. Smith “hinted” that he disagrees with the idea that tariffs punish other countries without harming American consumers.

Virginia Congressman Don Beyer, another Democrat on Smith’s subcommittee, said it is well known that farmers and ranchers suffer the most when their goods are subject to foreign retaliatory tariffs.

Beyer: "One justification I hear from them is that the tariffs, in support, will partially offset the costs of the budget-busting tax cut that we are about to grapple with -- tax cuts for the wealthy and the massive corporations."

He said there is also justification that tariffs can be used as leverage to bend foreign trading partners to the U.S. will, but said if revenue is the objective there would be motivation to keep the most destructive tariffs.

Ambassador Gregg Doug said all the world is protectionist when it comes to agriculture.

Republicans on the subcommittee appear united behind the belief that President Trump’s attention to trade is positive toward protecting American interests.