The 'backyard' is on fire! The U.S. House of Representatives rarely strikes back at Trump, and the U.S.-Canada tariff war sees a turning point
On February 11, 2026, local time, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution by a narrow margin of 219 to 211, formally challenging the legality of the White House's imposition of tariffs on Canada through a 'national emergency.' This vote is highly indicative:
Republicans 'turning': Despite Trump's stern warnings, 6 Republican lawmakers (mostly from border states heavily reliant on trade with Canada) defected, joining forces with Democrats to deal a heavy blow to the White House's trade agenda.
Power struggle: This is a strong counterattack by Congress against the White House's 'executive overreach.' Lawmakers question the White House's use of 'illegal drug influx' as a pretext for 'trade protection,' arguing that the tariffs on Canada lack factual basis and severely harm the cost structure of U.S. manufacturing.
Cooling expectations: As the resolution moves to the Senate, the previously tense trade war situation gets a breather. Although Trump still holds 'veto power,' the legislative resistance has signaled to the market: his tariff policy is not set in stone.
This move marks a significant fracture within Washington regarding Trump's 'tariff stick' in his second term.
The Senate is expected to vote next week.
