SJRES 37: A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada.

SJRES 37 in plain English: This joint resolution would end the national emergency declared by President Trump on February 1, 2025, which imposed an additional 25% tariff on most imports from Canada and an additional 10% tariff on Canadian energy and energy resources.

Stated purpose

This resolution aims to end the national emergency that President Trump declared on February 1, 2025, which was used to impose additional tariffs on imports from Canada.

Key points

• Terminates the national emergency declared February 1, 2025, that imposed tariffs on Canadian imports
• Would end the additional 25% tariff on most goods imported from Canada
• Would end the additional 10% tariff specifically on Canadian energy and energy resources

Arguments supporters make

• Tariffs on a close ally and top trading partner raise costs for American businesses and consumers without a clear national security justification.
• Congress, not the president alone, should have authority over trade policy, and using emergency powers to impose tariffs bypasses that check on executive power.
• Ending the tariffs could ease tensions with Canada, a major trading partner and ally, and protect jobs in industries that rely on Canadian materials.

Arguments opponents make

• The tariffs give the U.S. leverage to address legitimate concerns about trade imbalances or border security issues with Canada, and removing them prematurely gives that leverage away.
• The president has broad legal authority under the National Emergencies Act to respond to threats, and Congress overriding that undermines the executive branch's ability to conduct foreign and trade policy.
• Canceling the tariffs before negotiations conclude could signal weakness and make it harder to secure favorable terms in future trade agreements with Canada.

Tradeoffs

Keeping the tariffs may strengthen the U.S. negotiating position with Canada but raises costs for American importers and risks retaliatory measures; ending them lowers those costs and eases the relationship but removes a tool of economic pressure.

Current status in Congress: Passed Senate.

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