Sen. Orrin Hatch Threatens Trump's Tariff Authority

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, on Tuesday issued a threat to push back against President Donald Trump's powers to influence trade, CNBC reports.

Hatch, the longest-serving Senate Republican, chairs the Senate Finance Committee, and has repeatedly criticized Trump's tariffs as poor economic policy.

"If the administration continues forward with its misguided and reckless reliance on tariffs, I will work to advance trade legislation to curtail presidential trade authority," Hatch said from the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. "I am discussing legislative options with colleagues both on and off the Finance Committee, and I will continue to do so," although he would "much rather work with the administration to advance a trade agenda that serves the interests of the American people and job creators."

Trump's tariffs, an in particular those on aluminum, steel, and a wide range of Chinese goods, have drawn ire from several Republican Senators, including Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn.

Hatch said, although he agrees the U.S. should address unfair trade practices, "the administration's recent actions are misguided and will harm, rather than protect, the American people."

• Fed's Powell: Trade Barriers Threaten Wages, Growth
• IMF: US Trade War Could Cost Global Economy $500 Billion