As the deadline for Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports approaches, a faction of Senate Republicans is deliberating whether to side with Democrats in a bid to avert the imposition of these levies.

The resolution, introduced by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, seeks to terminate Trump's emergency order that justifies the tariffs, which are ostensibly aimed at countering the influx of fentanyl from Canada into the United States.

Although the resolution’s passage appears unlikely in the House of Representatives, potential cross-party support could represent a significant rebuke of the president by members of his own party.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine, whose state shares a border with Canada, characterized the tariffs as a “huge mistake” and expressed concern about the resulting disruptions to both U.S. and Canadian economies.

Collins indicated a supportive stance on the resolution while signaling her intention to likely vote in favor of it.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has also co-sponsored the legislation, and other Republican senators, including Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have voiced worries regarding the tariffs’ effect on trade.

In response to the deliberations, Republican leadership has intensified efforts to unify their senators against the resolution, given Trump's rapid alterations to the international trade framework.

On social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticized Senator Kaine, asserting that Senate Republicans should maintain the national emergency status to fulfill his agenda.

He cautioned that allowing a Democratic victory would have negative repercussions for the Republican Party and the country as a whole.

Kaine, in an interview with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, described the tariffs as a substantial sales tax and dismissed the underlying rationale as misleading, highlighting recent congressional testimony that downplayed Canada’s role as a source of fentanyl trafficking.

He argued that the use of tariffs was primarily aimed at generating revenue for tax cuts rather than addressing genuine national security concerns.

A vote on Kaine’s resolution could occur as early as Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday, coinciding with Senator Cory Booker’s planned prolonged address to highlight the challenges faced during Trump's administration.

Kaine noted that he aims to secure the backing of all 47 Democrats while anticipating support from a few Republicans.

Trump’s aggressive tariff policies have challenged traditional Republican free trade positions, leaving some GOP senators in a difficult position as they navigate the dichotomy between party loyalty and policy disagreement.

His administration’s strategy includes implementing tariffs on key U.S. allies and trading partners, leading to international retaliatory measures and volatility in global markets.

Concerns surrounding the potential for a global trade war have adversely affected consumer confidence, contributing to fluctuations in stock market performance.

A recent poll indicates a decline in Americans’ perceptions of Trump's economic management, particularly regarding trade, with only 40% expressing support for his handling of these issues.

In the House of Representatives, Republican leaders have preemptively blocked attempts to rescind Trump’s controversial tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China by embedding relevant language within a recent stopgap funding bill, thus limiting the legislative capacity to nullify the president’s emergency declaration.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has defended the tariffs as a crucial tool for negotiations aimed at combating fentanyl trafficking.

He asserted that the rationale behind the tariffs remains unchanged and expressed his intention to persuade Senate Republicans to reject Kaine’s resolution in an upcoming speech.