U.S. Chamber of Commerce – World’s Largest Business Org – Endorses Cantwell’s Bipartisan Trade Review Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, called on Congress to pass the Trade Review Act of 2025 in an open letter to members of the U.S. Senate.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (‘the Chamber’) urges Congress to pass legislation to reclaim its constitutional role setting tariffs, including the Trade Review Act.” the letter begins. “Doing so would restore appropriate procedural deliberation in the enactment of taxes on trade, benefitting the millions of Americans whose livelihoods depend on international commerce and the certainty that supports investments in our economy.”
In April, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act, which is modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and would reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.
Her bill has since picked up 12 additional cosponsors – an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats – and been endorsed by several other major U.S. business organizations, including the National Retail Federation, which is the largest retail trade association in the world. A bipartisan companion bill was subsequently introduced in the House.
“The Chamber has long supported legislative proposals to reassert congressional prerogatives on trade as a means to securing durable outcomes,” the letter continues. “The Constitution grants exclusive authority to the Congress ‘to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises… [and] to regulate commerce with foreign nations,’ and exercising leadership on this front should be a priority in the context of today’s challenging economic outlook.”
The U.S. Chamber maintains a database of testimonials from small business owners across the country who are suffering under President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Last week, Sen. Cantwell joined her colleague from the Pacific Northwest, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), during his marathon speech on the Senate floor pushing back against President Donald Trump’s authoritarian actions. Their exchange focused on the president’s unpredictable and volatile tariff policy, specifically as it relates to soybeans. Columbia River ports are currently grappling with a huge dip in U.S. soybean exports – once a key export for the region – due to China’s retaliatory boycott on U.S.-grown soybeans.
On Sept. 18, Sen. Cantwell joined a group of small business owners from across the country in a press conference on the steps of the Supreme Court to push back against President Trump’s reckless tariff policies. Video of the press conference is available HERE; photos are HERE.
In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. Moreover, according to the U.S. Trade Representative, nationally, jobs supported by the export of goods pay up to an estimated 18 percent above the national average. More information about how those tariffs will affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE.
The full text of the U.S. Chamber’s letter can be found HERE and below.
To the Members of the United States Senate:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (“the Chamber”) urges Congress to pass legislation to reclaim its constitutional role setting tariffs, including the Trade Review Act. Doing so would restore appropriate procedural deliberation in the enactment of taxes on trade, benefitting the millions of Americans whose livelihoods depend on international commerce and the certainty that supports investments in our economy.
Members of Congress continue to hear from American farmers, workers, and business owners about the harm inflicted by broad-based tariffs and the associated economic uncertainty. American families are facing thousands of dollars in higher prices as a result of these increased taxes. Small businesses, manufacturers, and ranchers are struggling with higher costs, with additional economic pain likely in the coming months.
The Chamber has long supported legislative proposals to reassert congressional prerogatives on trade as a means to securing durable outcomes. The Constitution grants exclusive authority to the Congress “to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises… [and] to regulate commerce with foreign nations,” and exercising leadership on this front should be a priority in the context of today’s challenging economic outlook.
By establishing a more deliberative process for enacting tariffs, Congress can ensure that appropriate stakeholder consultation and a methodical assessment of costs precede any decision to raise taxes on traded goods. To date, several proposals have been introduced that address these concerns, including but not limited to the bipartisan and bicameral Trade Review Act as well as resolutions terminating the national emergency declared to impose broad-based tariffs (S. J. Res. 88, S.J. Res. 77). The Chamber urges members of Congress to work across the aisle to enact legislation requiring an up-or-down vote for any new tariffs and for those imposed in the year to date.
Sincerely,
Neil L. Bradley
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer,
and Head of Strategic Advocacy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
###
Next Article Previous Article
