President Trump asks Sen. Bob Corker to abandon legislation challenging tariffs; senator still introduces bill The call from the president does not appear to have worked. A few hours later, Corker went ahead and filed the bill, along with five other Republican senators and four Democrats.

Michael Collins | Nashville Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption Analyst: Everyone loses in U.S.-China trade war A former official at the U.S. Treasury department says the current tariff war between the United States and China is a threat to the global supply chain. (April 4)

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump unsuccessfully urged Sen. Bob Corker on Wednesday to abandon his plans to pursue legislation challenging the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Corker, who is leading the effort to push back against the president on the issue, said Trump called him Wednesday morning and asked him not to introduce the legislation, which would give Congress the power to authorize or reject any new tariffs imposed because of national security concerns.

A few hours later, Corker went ahead and filed the bill, along with seven other Republican senators and four Democrats. The sponsors include Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

“I’m a United States Senator and I have responsibilities, and I’m going to continue to carry them out,” Corker said.

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Corker, a Tennessee Republican and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he and the president had a lengthy, “heartfelt” conversation about the legislation.

"He's obviously not pleased with this effort," Corker told reporters in Washington.

Corker said there is a "difference of opinion."

“He feels that this takes away his negotiating ability," Corker said. "And this in no way takes away his negotiating ability. It’s not any different than him meeting with (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un and, if they reach a deal, him bringing it to Congress for approval. I’ve explained it’s exactly the same thing.”

Pushing back on tariffs

Corker and other Republicans are pushing back on Trump’s decision late last month to impose steep steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies, a move that analysts said pushed the United States closer to a trade war.

Canada, Mexico and the European Union are now subject to a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Brazil, Argentina and Australia agreed to limit steel exports to the U.S. to avoid tariffs.

The tariffs angered many Republicans, who fear they will touch off a trade war with American allies.

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The bipartisan legislation that Corker filed would require the president to submit to Congress any tariffs put in place under a process that invokes national security. The tariffs would be given expedited consideration, and Congress would have 60 days to debate and vote on them.

Besides Corker and Alexander, the bill’s sponsors are Republicans Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Johnny Isakson of Georgia. Democratic senators sponsoring the bill are Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Mark Warner of Virginia, Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.

“In general, these kinds of tariffs are a big mistake, and using national security as an excuse is a bigger mistake,” Alexander said. “There is no state that is likely to be more damaged by tariffs on aluminum and steel than Tennessee, because in many ways we are the nation’s number one auto state.”

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In North Dakota, exporting is critical for farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, Heitkamp said, “but the administration’s wrongheaded trade policies are putting their livelihoods in jeopardy. …. Huge economic policy decisions like tariffs shouldn’t be taken lightly, and Congress should serve as a needed check to make sure we aren’t losing out in the end.”

Outside support for tariff bill

One possibility under consideration is to attach the legislation to the National Defense Authorization Act, a must-pass military spending bill that will be debated on the Senate floor later this week and could be put to a vote as early as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday he would not allow the Corker tariff proposal to be brought up as a freestanding bill. But he did not shoot down the idea of attaching it to the defense legislation.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., dismissed the idea of legislation blocking the tariffs, telling reporters that Congress would need to come up with legislation that Trump would sign.

Corker’s bill did pick up the support of two prominent groups — the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Koch Industries, the multinational corporation led by Republican megadonors David and Charles Koch.

In a statement, the chamber said the business and agriculture community is concerned the tariffs will lead to lost American jobs and that Corker’s “modest proposal” would help clarify Congress’ prerogatives on overseeing tariff policy.

Koch spokesman Philip Ellender said it’s important that Congress reassert its constitutional authority on trade decisions, including tariffs, and that the company opposes policies that impose trade barriers that will ultimately hurt individuals, businesses and communities.

Deirdre Shesgreen of USA Today contributed to this report.