Vault: The political fight over tariffs - Punchbowl News

President Donald Trump’s massive tariff campaign has become a hallmark of his second term in office.

Even after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs that Trump was levying under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the administration is drawing on a series of other authorities to keep its trade wars raging.

*As the Trump administration *charts its path forward with the tariffs, Democrats are finding new ways to fight back. When Trump was using IEEPA for tariffs, Democrats could trigger congressional votes to end the emergency authority allowing for the levies.

In the wake of SCOTUS’ decision, Democrats are turning to new bills and pressure campaigns to oppose the tariffs and demand refunds for businesses — though without the same tools to force consideration in Congress.

But even as the tariff regime and Democrats’ policy response have shifted in Washington, the political battle keeps intensifying as the midterms get closer.

That’s playing out on TV in congressional campaigns. Here’s what’s been airing over the last month and what it tells us about the trade debate.

House races. Democrat-aligned groups have been up with spots focused on tariffs blaming them for rising costs in some of the most hotly-contested House races.

That includes ads targeting GOP Reps.** Juan Ciscomani** in Arizona, Zach Nunn in Iowa, Scott Perry in Pennsylvania and Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin.

Democrats are also touting their opposition to tariffs in ads. Former Rep.** David Trone** (D-Md.), who’s mounting a primary challenge against Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), went up with an ad recently that invokes the Revolutionary War. In it, Trone mentions Trump “applying crazy tariffs,” among things he’s pledging to fight.

Cheering tariffs. There are groups making the case for Trump’s trade wars on TV.

The Steel Manufacturers Association thanks Trump in an ad that’s aired in recent weeks, applauding steel tariffs. The group represents companies including Nucor and Steel Dynamics.

A spot from By American For America says Trump is “hitting Asia with strategic tariffs that put America first” and aiding U.S. manufacturers.

USMCA angle. Trump has picked trade fights with Canada and Mexico since returning to office, complicating a major trade deadline this year. USMCA, the landmark North American trade deal from Trump’s first term, is up for review by July.

*A group *of major farming groups and food companies, the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA, went up with an ad in Washington, D.C. this week. Here’s what it argues: