President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE’s proposal to impose steep tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum has provoked a furious pushback from Republicans and even people in the White House.

While Trump insists the tariffs will go forward, Republicans in Congress are trying to convince him to scale back his plans.

Gary Cohn, the director of the National Economic Council and a critic of the plan, announced his resignation from the White House on Tuesday. His decision was seen as a reaction to the proposal.

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Here are nine people to watch as the debate continues to unfold.



Peter Navarro, White House trade adviser

Navarro has long argued for tariffs, but was sidelined in the White House debate by chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE. He’s regained clout since the departure of staff secretary Rob Porter, who ran the White House’s trade meetings.

The former professor scored a major victory with Trump’s announcement and is now being treated on Capitol Hill as a force to be reckoned with.

“Navarro should know better,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah), a critic of Trump’s tariff announcement.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Robert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerWhiskey, workers and friends caught in the trade dispute crossfire GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' Pelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 MORE

Lighthizer backs the president’s argument that the threat of the tariffs could accelerate completion of a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada.

“It is my view that it’s an incentive to get a deal,” Lighthizer said after completion of the seventh round of NAFTA talks in Mexico City on Monday.

Trump connected the tariffs to NAFTA in a series of tweets on Monday, suggesting he could use the tariffs as leverage to get a better deal.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Wilbur Louis RossTrump 'very happy' to allow TikTok to operate in US if security concerns resolved TikTok, WeChat to be banned Sunday from US app stores The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE

Ross sent Trump a series of options last month for taking action on steel and aluminum.

He has argued that the tariffs would have a “limited impact” on consumers and businesses because they would only raise prices by fractions of a penny.

“The notion that it would destroy a lot of jobs, raise prices, disrupt things, is wrong,” he said.

Ross was among several White House staffers who reportedly debated the need for tariffs in front of Trump in the Oval Office.

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO

Trumka, who fought against Trump on taxes and health care, has praised the president’s tariff plan, highlighting the topsy-turvy nature of the new trade debate.

“For years, we have called attention to the predatory practices of some steel exporting countries,” Trumka said. “Such practices hurt working people and cheat companies that produce in the U.S. We applaud the administration’s efforts today to fix this problem.”

Trumka and five other top labor union leaders met with Trump last month at the White House.

Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE (R-Wis.)

Ryan is personally lobbying Trump to reconsider the tariffs.

The Speaker has shared his concerns with the president on multiple occasions, while his office blasted out an email this week highlighting a news article that linked a drop in the stock market to Trump’s announcement.

The public pushback from Ryan, the House’s top Republican, represents a rare break from the GOP president. But it’s unclear how much sway Ryan will have over Trump.

Ryan is pressing the Trump administration to take a more “surgical” and “targeted” approach to slapping the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and to zero in on abuses from China.

The Speaker made the same arguments to fellow Republicans during their closed-door GOP conference meeting, sources in the room said.

Rep. Kevin Brady Kevin Patrick BradyBusinesses, states pass on Trump payroll tax deferral Trump order on drug prices faces long road to finish line On The Money: US deficit hits trillion amid pandemic | McConnell: Chance for relief deal 'doesn't look that good' | House employees won't have payroll taxes deferred MORE (R-Texas) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

Trump’s key soldiers on the tax cuts, Brady and Hatch, have led the charge against the tariffs in Congress.

Hatch has sent a letter to the White House urging Trump to rethink his approach, while Brady is planning to send a similar letter.

Both lawmakers believe their behind-the-scenes push could succeed in winning over Trump before he finalizes the proposal.

“Some of us have weighed in. ... I think he’s thinking it through,” Hatch told reporters. “I think he’s shooting one across the bow and letting people know that we’re not being treated fairly.”

GOP members want the president to exempt fairly traded products from the plan.

“We urge you to reconsider the idea of broad tariffs to avoid unintended negative consequences to the U.S. economy and its workers,” Brady’s letter states. “We are eager to work with you in pursuing a workable, targeted approach that achieves our shared goal.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown Sherrod Campbell BrownBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Emboldened Democrats haggle over 2021 agenda Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election MORE (D-Ohio)

Brown has been at the forefront of Democratic support for Trump’s trade policy decisions, calling repeatedly for action to provide relief to the U.S. steel industry.

The Ohio Democrat welcomed Trump’s plans to crack down on unfair steel imports that he says have hurt the domestic industry.

Brown has touted his close relationships with the administration’s top trade officials.

“This welcome action is long overdue for shuttered steel plants across Ohio and steelworkers who live in fear that their jobs will be the next victims of Chinese cheating,” he said.

He has a few other Democrats in his corner, such as Sens. Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate GOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high MORE (Ore.) and Bob Casey Robert (Bob) Patrick CaseySecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GAO report finds brokers offered false info on coverage for pre-existing conditions Catholic group launches .7M campaign against Biden targeting swing-state voters MORE (Pa.).

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Trudeau has been quick to talk Trump down from a trade ledge in the past, including last year when he urged the president to remain in the NAFTA pact.

On Monday, Trudeau spoke to Trump and expressed his serious concerns about the threat of the proposed tariffs.

Trudeau said the tariffs may aggravate already tough NAFTA negotiations.