P
President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday regarding a temporary suspension of most newly imposed tariffs for 90 days sparked a range of reactions on Capitol Hill: enthusiasm from Republicans, skepticism from Democrats, and increased scrutiny around the President’s motivations and decision-making methods.
The pause on tariffs—while maintaining a 10% global tariff and raising duties on Chinese goods to 125%—resulted in a notable rise in the markets, with the S&P 500 experiencing an impressive 9.5% increase, marking its largest one-day jump since 2008. While some lawmakers viewed this as a prudent move, others criticized it as chaos masquerading as strategy.
“It’s as if he wakes up each day with a different agenda,” commented Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, in an interview with TIME regarding Trump’s latest shift. A February analysis showed that the Trump Administration had already reversed its stance on several high-profile issues over a dozen times.
The surprise announcement—shared through Trump’s Truth Social account while key trade officials were testifying before Congress—left many legislators scrambling for clarity. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer found himself defending the tariffs at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing when Trump’s decision was made public. Greer remarked that he was “learning about the pause in real time,” stating, “I understand it’s for 90 days; I haven’t had a conversation with the President during this hearing.”
Despite the uncertainty, Republican lawmakers appeared largely relieved. GOP senators reportedly “cheered and clapped” during a private lunch as the news unfolded. Senator John Cornyn from Texas likened the atmosphere to lawmakers reviewing their retirement portfolios. “Jubilation might be too strong a term,” he remarked to reporters. “It was a positive reaction.”
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas who had previously raised concerns about Trump’s tariffs, framed the reversal as a potential step toward utilizing tariffs strategically to lower trade barriers and bolster U.S. businesses. “President Trump has the opportunity to achieve one of the greatest economic victories for America in history,” Cruz told TIME. “Today’s announcement was fantastic.”
“It demonstrates that Trump is an effective negotiator,” added Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican who recently introduced a bill aimed at limiting the President’s power to unilaterally impose tariffs—a proposal Trump has warned he would veto if it passes. “This brings predictability. It reflects moderation. It indicates there’s a potential resolution to this process. I believe it will enhance credibility in his approach.”
Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky known for opposing tariffs, welcomed the rollback but expressed concerns about the delay and the costs involved. “Implementing numerous tariffs can lead to a $6 trillion loss in the marketplace,” he indicated. “However, when those tariffs are lifted, the market rebounds significantly.” He concluded, “I hope a lesson has been learned.”
Trump’s latest approach to tariffs distinctly separates adversaries from allies, reducing taxes on imports from Europe and North America while intensifying punitive measures against China. Under this new framework, duties on Chinese goods will reach as high as 125%. Administration officials assert that this strategy targets China’s concerning practices—such as currency manipulation, theft of intellectual property, and forced technology transfers—as particularly damaging.
“Finally, someone has confronted the issue with China,” Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, remarked to TIME. “They manipulate their currency and steal our intellectual property. Now they will have to be held accountable.”
However, amidst the relief, the reversal underscored the unpredictability that has disrupted global markets and strained relationships with U.S. allies. While some Republicans viewed the pause as a sign of Trump’s flexibility, others quietly acknowledged it as indicative of a reactive and improvisational strategy that complicates future planning—both on Wall Street and in Washington.
Conversely, Democrats were far less forgiving. Many accused Trump of manipulating global markets and destabilizing the economy for his political gain. Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, asserted that Trump “needs to revoke the emergency” he declared to implement his tariffs “and start anew.”
“The chaos he’s introducing into the economy is harmful,” Kaine added. “Currently, he’s imposed tariffs on countries with trade surpluses and those with no trade barriers with the United States. It’s a completely irrational policy.”
Smith, the senator from Minnesota, shared a story about a constituent who sold off some investments out of fear over declining retirement savings—only to see the market rebound after Trump’s announcement. She urged Trump to fully retract his tariff policy and to also pause the 10% rate imposed on most nations.
Other Democrats voiced more serious concerns. Senator Adam Schiff from California told TIME that Congress should investigate whether Trump engaged in insider trading or market manipulation. “I’m committed to uncovering the truth,” he remarked in an interview. “Family meme coins and similar matters are not beyond the realm of insider trading or self-enrichment. I hope to have answers soon.”
Meanwhile, the White House sought to frame its decision to roll back tariffs as part of a broader strategic vision. “This was the plan all along,” asserted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. However, this official narrative was quickly undercut by Trump himself, who admitted he was reacting to the downturn in the bond market and suggested that his motivation was more about addressing investor concerns than strictly adhering to economic principles. “The bond market is looking great right now,” he told reporters shortly after making his announcement. “But I noticed last night that people were becoming a bit uneasy.”
