Vice President JD Vance will attend the weekly lunch of Senate Republicans on Tuesday, a development that comes as the Senate prepares to vote on terminating three of the national emergencies President Trump declared to impose tariffs. These include the 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, the 35% tariffs on Canadian goods, and the broad global tariffs Trump implemented. This meeting marks another opportunity for Senate Republicans to challenge Trump’s trade policy, which has sparked significant discontent within the party, particularly due to its impact on farmers and small businesses.
The discussion will also likely involve queries from Vance’s former Senate colleagues regarding potential resolutions to the ongoing 28-day government shutdown. The tariff votes are seen as a critical point for Republicans to express their opposition to Trump’s trade measures, which have been a focal point of intra-party tension. Earlier this month, Senate Republicans questioned U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a private session, urging him to prioritize securing export markets as China has ceased purchases of several crops.
Recently, the Senate narrowly rejected Trump’s global tariffs, a decision that was likely influenced by the absence of Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Despite these votes, the potential for the tariffs to pass in the Senate remains uncertain, as the House has implemented legislative measures to prevent a vote until March. Vance, who has previously played a role in shutdown negotiations, is expected to use this meeting to engage with Senate leaders and strategize on addressing these challenges.