House Votes to Reject Trump's Tariffs on Canada

Rare bipartisan rebuke of White House agenda as Republicans join Democrats

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In a 219-211 vote, the House voted to end the national emergency that President Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canada. The resolution, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, seeks to roll back the tariffs, though it still needs approval from the Senate and the president. The vote marks a rare instance of the Republican-controlled House confronting the White House on a signature policy, with lawmakers facing pressure from businesses and constituents over trade wars and high prices.

Why it matters

The vote reflects growing unease among lawmakers, including some Republicans, over the president's use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic. It highlights the tensions between the legislative and executive branches over trade policy, as Congress seeks to reassert its authority in the face of the president's expansive use of emergency powers.

The details

The resolution seeks to terminate the national emergency that Trump declared last year to justify imposing the tariffs on Canada, which the administration claimed was necessary to address the flow of illicit drugs. However, experts say fentanyl is largely smuggled in from Mexico, not Canada. Republicans were torn between supporting the president and responding to pressure from businesses and constituents affected by the trade wars.

  • The House voted on the resolution on February 12, 2026.
  • Trump declared the national emergency to impose the tariffs on Canada a year ago.

The players

Gregory Meeks

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who authored the resolution to reject Trump's tariffs on Canada.

Donald J. Trump

The former president who imposed the tariffs on Canada as part of his trade policies.

Doug Ford

The Premier of Ontario, Canada, who called the House vote "an important victory" and thanked lawmakers from both parties for standing up for free trade.

Mike Johnson

The House Speaker who tried to prevent the vote by engineering a complicated rules change, but ultimately failed to shore up Republican support.

Brian Mast

The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who argued that the fentanyl crisis justifies the tariffs.

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What they’re saying

“Today's vote is simple, very simple: Will you vote to lower the cost of living for the American family or will you keep prices high out of loyalty to one person — Donald J. Trump?”

— Gregory Meeks, Representative, House Foreign Affairs Committee (dnyuz.com)

“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!”

— Donald J. Trump (dnyuz.com)

“We're disappointed. The president will make sure they don't repeal his tariffs.”

— Kevin Hassett, Director, White House National Economic Council (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

The resolution now goes to the Senate, where it will need to be approved before being sent to the president for his signature or veto.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the growing tensions between Congress and the executive branch over trade policy, as lawmakers seek to reassert their authority and check the president's expansive use of emergency powers. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of U.S.-Canada relations and the ongoing trade disputes between the two countries.