Trump savages "rebel" Republicans trying to quash his tariff powers

President Trump on Tuesday ripped into Republican members of Congress who are trying to give Congress the ability to block him from unilaterally instituting tariffs.Why it matters: The president's remarks during a speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee laid bare divisions within the GOP over the administration's hardline protectionist trade policies.At least a dozen House Republicans are considering supporting Rep. Don Bacon's (R-Neb.) bill to sunset a president's tariffs after 60 days unless Congress passes a resolution of approval, Axios reported Tuesday.In the Senate, more than half a dozen Republicans have signed onto Sen. Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell's (D-Wash.) version.What he's saying: "I see some rebel Republican, some guy who wants to grandstand, say, 'I think that Congress should take over negotiations.' Let me tell you, you don't negotiate like I negotiate," Trump said."I just saw it today, a couple of your congressmen sir," Trump continued, pointing into the crowd, "'I think we should get involved in the negotiation of the tariffs.' Oh that's what I need, I need some guy telling me how to negotiate."Trump said the chatter on Capitol Hill about restraining his tariff powers "hurts your negotiation," adding: "And then the fake news wants to build it up, and it has no chance anyway."Between the lines: Some of the more free trade-minded Republicans on Capitol Hill have watched uneasily this weak as the stock market lurched in response to Trump's across-the-board tariffs.House Democrats are hoping to further drive a wedge between Trump and his party in Congress by forcing a vote on ending his sweeping new levies.Trump has threatened to veto Bacon's bill if Congress were to pass it — something several Republicans have cited in explaining their refusal to co-sponsor it.

President Trump on Tuesday ripped into Republican members of Congress who are trying to give Congress the ability to block him from unilaterally instituting tariffs.Why it matters: The president's remarks during a speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee laid bare divisions within the GOP over the administration's hardline protectionist trade policies.At least a dozen House Republicans are considering supporting Rep.

Don Bacon's (R-Neb.) bill to sunset a president's tariffs after 60 days unless Congress passes a resolution of approval, Axios reported Tuesday.In the Senate, more than half a dozen Republicans have signed onto Sen.

Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell's (D-Wash.) version.What he's saying: "I see some rebel Republican, some guy who wants to grandstand, say, 'I think that Congress should take over negotiations.

' Let me tell you, you don't negotiate like I negotiate," Trump said."I just saw it today, a couple of your congressmen sir," Trump continued, pointing into the crowd, "'I think we should get involved in the negotiation of the tariffs.' Oh that's what I need, I need some guy telling me how to negotiate.

"Trump said the chatter on Capitol Hill about restraining his tariff powers "hurts your negotiation," adding: "And then the fake news wants to build it up, and it has no chance anyway."Between the lines: Some of the more free trade-minded Republicans on Capitol Hill have watched uneasily this weak as the stock market lurched in response to Trump's across-the-board tariffs.House Democrats are hoping to further drive a wedge between Trump and his party in Congress by forcing a vote on ending his sweeping new levies.

Trump has threatened to veto Bacon's bill if Congress were to pass it — something several Republicans have cited in explaining their refusal to co-sponsor it..