Statement of Administration Policy: S.J. Res. 88 - A Joint Resolution Terminating the National Emergency Declared to Impose Global Tariffs

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(Senate)
(Sen. Wyden, D-OR, and six cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes S.J. Res. 88, which would terminate the national emergency that President Trump declared on April 2, 2025. The resolution would undermine the Administration's efforts to address the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and economy of the United States posed by the conditions reflected in the large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficit.

Congress specifically empowered the President to regulate the importation of goods in the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), following an emergency declaration consistent with the terms of the National Emergencies Act (NEA), to address certain threats to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. President Trump has acted in a manner consistent with that delegation of authority to address the lack of reciprocity in U.S. bilateral trade relationships. This lack of reciprocity has given rise to the largest trade deficit in American history—and gives artificial advantages to foreign imports over goods produced domestically. This has gutted the American industrial base, jeopardized our national security, suppressed wages for U.S. workers, decimated communities throughout the United States, and resulted in the systematic transfer of American wealth overseas. President Trump exercised his authority to impose reciprocal tariffs to rectify the conditions that gave rise to this threat to U.S. national and economic security.

President Trump's bold strategy has already yielded historic trade deals with many countries, unlocking unprecedented investments in the United States and expanding market access for American goods. These trade deals have already strengthened America's national and economic security while creating opportunities for American workers, farmers, and businesses.

President Trump remains in active negotiations with many countries to further eliminate barriers to U.S. exports. Disturbing the conditions underlying these negotiations would signal to U.S. trading partners that they can continue to discriminate against U.S. exports with impunity. Furthermore, this resolution would signal that the United States is not serious about addressing structural imbalances in the global economy and the conditions giving rise to the threat to the United States' national security and economy. Finally, this resolution would curtail President Trump's ability to combat China's non-market policies and practices that limit U.S. manufacturing capacity in industrial sectors critical to national security. There can be no doubt that S.J. Res. 88—if passed—would undermine U.S. national and economic security.

If S.J. Res. 88 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend that he veto the joint resolution.