Five Senate Republicans Join Democrats to Rebuff Trump's Brazil Tariffs

Five Senate Republicans—Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, and Thom Tillis—joined all Senate Democrats in a 52-48 vote to denounce President Donald Trump's use of emergency powers to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil, signaling rare dissent within the GOP. The tariffs, justified by Trump as a response to Brazil's political actions against his ally Jair Bolsonaro, have sparked bipartisan concern over their economic impact and the executive overreach involved. Vice President JD Vance had urged Senate Republicans not to break ranks, warning that opposing the tariffs would weaken Trump's leverage in trade negotiations, but his efforts did not prevent the defections. The resolution's passage in the Senate is largely symbolic as House Republicans have blocked similar votes, reflecting broader GOP reluctance to openly challenge the president. The vote is part of ongoing tensions within the Republican Party around Trump's aggressive trade agenda, with further Senate votes expected on tariffs against Canada and other global trade issues. Critics argue that Trump's tariffs make American goods more expensive and represent an abuse of emergency powers, while supporters maintain they prioritize American workers and industry.