TL;DR: The Senate voted 52-48 on October 28, 2025, to end President Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods. Five Republicans joined Democrats in passing the resolution, which challenges Trump’s use of emergency powers. The move is symbolic since the House and Trump are expected to block it.
What Happened
- The U.S. Senate voted 52-48 to terminate the national emergency President Donald Trump declared in July 2025 to justify 50% tariffs on most Brazilian imports.
- The resolution (S.J.Res. 42), led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and co-sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), gained support from five Republicans alongside all Democrats.
- The tariffs targeted imports such as coffee, beef, soybeans, orange juice, crude oil, iron ore, and Embraer aircraft.
Who Supported and Opposed It
- Republicans who voted with Democrats: Mitch McConnell (KY), Rand Paul (KY), Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Thom Tillis (NC).
- The White House denounced the vote as “disloyal” and “weak on Brazil’s anti-democratic courts.”
- The Brazilian government welcomed the Senate move but noted that the tariffs remain in place.
Why the Tariffs Were Imposed
- Trump imposed the tariffs after Brazil prosecuted former President Jair Bolsonaro, his political ally, for allegedly attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election.
- Trump cited national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, calling Brazil’s actions an “extraordinary threat” to U.S. interests.
Economic and Political Impact
- The tariffs raised U.S. consumer prices; coffee up 45-60%, orange juice 40-55%, beef 50%, and sparked backlash from businesses and farmers.
- Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Delta Airlines all lobbied against the tariffs.
- The move exposed growing Republican dissent over Trump’s trade policies and use of emergency powers.
What’s Next
- The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, is unlikely to take up the resolution.
- Even if passed, Trump is expected to veto it, requiring a two-thirds majority to override, an improbable scenario.
- The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week on whether Trump exceeded his authority in using emergency powers for global tariffs.
Key Quotes
- Sen. Tim Kaine: “Tariffs are taxes on American families. This isn’t national security, it’s personal.”
- Sen. Rand Paul: “Emergencies are like war, famine, tornadoes, not disliking someone’s tariffs. It’s an abuse of power.”
- Sen. Ron Wyden: “People come up and say ‘the tariffs are killing us.’ You go to the grocery store and everybody’s up in arms.”