When lawmakers return from recess next week, they are likely to be besieged by various industries seeking protection from the economic fallout of the trade fight between the Trump administration and China that threatens to impose $50 billion in retaliatory duties on U.S. exports.

But the Republican-controlled Congress may not be able to do more than collectively wring its hands, in contrast to the leverage lawmakers have under Trade Promotion Authority to accept or reject a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

Sen. Patrick J. Toomey said some GOP members have floated the idea of slowing confirmation of administration nominees, or threatening to vote against extending Trade Promotion Authority, also known as fast track authority, which the administration has requested. The Pennsylvania Republican did not endorse either tactic.

Gary Clyde Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics said Congress is unlikely to take action soon.

“For now the president has the upper hand,” Hufbauer said in an email. “If tariffs are imposed, and there’s real pain in the agricultural states, more Republicans will go along with delaying nominations and putting riders on appropriation bills. I can’t see killing fast track, however.”