With the midterm elections behind them, Democrats are gearing up to challenge President Donald Trump's tariffs, a policy they view as a major economic burden. Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the likely next House speaker, have both emphasized the need to dismantle Trump's tariff regime, particularly the trade war with Canada. Democrats plan to use their new legislative power to push through bills that would restore congressional authority over tariffs, which they argue have made life more expensive for Americans.
The party is also preparing investigations into Trump's tariff exemptions, alleging that the president has used them to cut deals with industries that have donated to his campaigns. These efforts come as the Trump administration faces multiple lawsuits over its tariff policies, including a recent case targeting 50% tariffs on Canadian goods and another challenging the refund of $166 billion in tariff revenue collected under a scrapped policy.
Despite their landslide victory, Democrats will still face hurdles in the Senate, where they lack a filibuster-proof majority. Trump is also expected to wield his veto power, making it difficult for Democrats to pass legislation without significant Republican support. However, Democrats may still push forward with symbolic votes to build political narratives ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
Trump, meanwhile, has indicated that he views tariffs as non-negotiable, claiming that removing them would halt the construction of thousands of plants. He has also overstated the revenue generated by tariffs, which have brought in around $300 billion between January 2025 and July 2026, with about $138 billion of that refunded following a Supreme Court ruling. Public opinion also leans against Trump's tariffs, with 65% of voters in a CNBC poll saying the duties have hurt the economy.