National Journal reports:

President Trump’s abrupt threat to impose tariffs on Mexico doesn’t just threaten to stagnate the country’s economy and raise the price of goods for consumers back home. It poses a serious threat to Senate Republicans, who are fighting to hold their majority in battleground states that will suffer from a protracted trade war with our southern neighbor.

It’s no coincidence that most of the Republican senators who spoke out against Trump’s move late last week are up for reelection next year. Even many reliable Trump allies came out with rare expressions of opposition, knowing their own political survival is on the line.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, representing a state whose farming industry has already been hit by Trump’s trade policies, was one of the first Republicans to call foul on his latest tariffs. “While I support the need for comprehensive border security and a permanent fix to illegal immigration, this isn’t the right path forward,” Ernst said in a statement. “The livelihoods of Iowa farmers and producers are at stake.” [Continue reading…]

The New York Times reports:

The idea of punishing Mexico with tariffs had several key proponents, including Stephen Miller, Mr. Trump’s chief policy adviser and an immigration hard-liner. Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel, and Peter Navarro, a trade adviser, had also argued that emergency powers gave the president broad authority to impose the tariffs. [Continue reading…]