Charles Schumer

Senator Chuck Schumer wants an end to the U.S.-versus-everyone trade war.

On Tuesday, the Senate Democratic Leader introduced legislation he said would “revoke and refund” the Trump administration’s latest tranche of tariffs, including the 50 percent duties recently imposed on $20 billion in Canadian goods. Ottawa, for its part, is expected to respond in kind next week with duties on $20 billion worth of American imports.

The End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act would also repeal the 10-12.5 percent taxes on goods from 60 different trading partners that Washington says have failed to adequately prevent the import of goods made with forced labor.

Schumer said Americans have borne 96 percent of the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars in new , with Trump’s tariff policy costing the average family nearly $2,000.

“While inflation rages, families struggle to pay their bills, and small businesses close, Trump—detached from reality—continues his bluster on the global stage, doubling down on a chaotic trade war that has meant only pain for American families, farmers and manufacturers,” the New York politician said. “Republicans won’t stand up to Trump’s nonsense and Americans are crying out for relief. That’s why I am introducing that would end Trump’s costly tariff taxes.”

The legislation is backed by a broad coalition, including Democratic senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Mark Warner of Virginia, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Chris Coons of Delaware, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Peter Welch of Vermont, as well as independent Senator Angus King of Maine.

Schumer also spearheaded efforts to curb unilateral presidential tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the legal basis the Supreme Court rejected in February. Following the ruling, Senate Democrats unveiled legislation that would require the to refund, with interest, all tariff revenue collected under IEEPA within 180 days. They also introduced the Small Business Liberation Act to shield small businesses from the subsequent 10 percent across-the-board tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Given the Senate’s Republican majority and the high likelihood of a presidential veto, this and other measures like it are largely symbolic. But they also give Democrats a platform to hone their economic case as the cost-of-living crisis deepens ahead of the midterm elections. According to the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, nearly half of all Americans are struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, food, child care and health care.

The affordability message is a throughline in public responses from party leaders such as Murray, who characterized the White House’s trade strategy as “economic arson.”

“No business can plan around Trump’s unpredictable tariffs, American credibility is shot and costs are up,” she said. “While Republicans are enabling Trump’s economic sabotage, Democrats are fighting to put an end to these reckless tariffs. That’s why we’re introducing this legislation to block and refund Trump’s tariffs so we can focus on growing the economy for everyone and making life affordable again.”

Warner struck a similar tone, calling the tariffs “nothing more than a tax on American families, small businesses and farmers” and accusing the president of driving up costs with little regard for Americans’ financial situations.

And as news emerged that New Yorkers have paid more in fashion tariffs than consumers in any other state, Gillibrand framed the tariffs against Canada as a “bad deal” for Empire State families.

“President Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs and make life more affordable, but they’ve used their total power in Washington to make life more expensive than ever,” she said. “It’s past time for President Trump to stop the political games, get back to the negotiation table, and make a deal that lowers costs and strengthens our economy.”