President Donald Trumpβs tariff strategy is no longer just a trade policy fight β itβs becoming a loyalty test inside the Republican Party.
This week, Trump lashed out after several GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in voting to curb his latest round of tariffs. In a post on Truth Social, he warned that Republicans who opposed him would βseriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!β
The threat followed a House vote in which six Republicans broke ranks to support a resolution aimed at blocking Trumpβs tariffs on Canada. The measure passed 219β211, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the presidentβs trade agenda.
Trump has framed the tariffs as a matter of strength and leverage. According to The Hillβs reporting, he argues the duties are necessary to protect βeconomic and national securityβ interests and to pressure trading partners into fairer deals.
Rep. Thomas Massie framed his opposition around congressional authority, posting on X that βtaxing authority is vested in the House of Representatives, not the Executive.β
My goal is to defend the Constitution and to represent the people.
Taxing authority is vested in the House of Representatives, not the Executive.
The vote tonight was to subvert the Constitution and the 1976 National Emergencies Act by literally saying a day is not a day. pic.twitter.com/O8rm07zcJv
β Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 11, 2026
Rep. Don Bacon made his stance clear ahead of the House vote. βWe have a trade agreement, and I think theyβve been a good ally, and I think theyβve been unfairly attacked by the administration, and so Iβm going to oppose it β Iβm going to oppose the tariffs,β he told The Hill, signaling a break with the White House.
In the end, Bacon, Massie and Rep. Kevin Kiley sided with Democrats to block a procedural rule Tuesday evening, objecting to provisions that would have stripped members of the ability to force snap votes targeting Trumpβs tariffs.
I donβt like putting the important work of the House on pause, but Congress needs to be able to debate on tariffs. Tariffs have been a βnet negativeβ for the economy and are a significant tax that American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers are paying. Article I of theβ¦
β Rep. Don Bacon πΊπΈβοΈποΈβοΈποΈ (@RepDonBacon) February 11, 2026
But outside the White House, the reaction has been more divided.
A Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of Americans disapprove of increased tariffs, with roughly 60 percent expressing opposition and only about 37 percent approving.
Economic concerns appear to be driving much of that skepticism. Many voters say they worry tariffs will translate into higher prices for everyday goods β a fear echoed in broader public opinion data. A Gallup poll reported that nearly nine in ten Americans believe tariffs lead to higher consumer prices.
Economists have also weighed in. The Tax Foundation estimates that expanding tariffs could raise the average effective U.S. tariff rate to levels not seen in decades, potentially dampening growth and increasing costs for businesses and households.
The administration, however, continues to defend the approach. Trump has repeatedly portrayed tariffs as a negotiating tool and a way to reduce trade deficits, insisting the strategy will ultimately benefit American workers.
Trumpβs threats of primary challenges have put GOP tensions over tariffs on full display, with some lawmakers breaking ranks due to local economic pressures and rising costs, leaving trade policy caught between party loyalty and constituent concerns.
Featured image via The Daily Glitch library
