Sen. John Cornyn of Texas: “We’re holding a gun to our own heads by doing this” (Erin Schaff/New York Times)

Republican senators have warned the White House not to proceed with Donald Trump’s plan linking tariffs on Mexico with his anti-immigrant campaign.

Hours after Trump said legislators would be “foolish” to try to stop him, the senators were almost unanimous in their opposition to a 5% tariff on June 10, followed by a 5% escalation each month to a maximum of 25% if Trump is not satisfied with Mexico’s response over migrants seeking entry into the US.

The senators expressed anger at a briefing from a deputy White House counsel and an assistant attorney general at closed-door lunch.

“I want you to take a message back…you didn’t hear a single yes”, said Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, according to “people familiar with the meeting”. Cruz said the proposed tariffs are a $30 billion tax increase on Texans and later reiterated to reporters:

I will yield to nobody in passion and seriousness and commitment for securing the border. But there’s no reason for Texas farmers and ranchers and manufacturers and small businesses to pay the price of massive new taxes.

Trump issued the order despite objections from his senior advisors, including son-in-law Jared Kushner, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. They fear the measure could jeopardize Congressional ratification of changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, reached with Mexico and Canada last autumn.

EA on Al Jazeera English: Trump Using Tariffs as Political Weapon

Republican legislators are considering whether to nullify Trump’s “national emergency”, declared in February so he could take money from Government agencies — especially the US military — for his Wall with Mexico. The nullification would remove the basis for both the tariffs and the $25 billion needed for the 30-foot high barrier.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has rarely failed to protect Trump, summarized,
“There is not much support for tariffs in my conference, that’s for sure. Our hope is that the tariffs will be avoided, and we will not have to answer any hypotheticals.”

“A Gun to Our Own Heads”

Trump’s announcement followed the Administration’s escalation of tariffs from 10% to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods, with the threat of the charge on the remaining $350 billion in annual Chinese imports. Trade talks between the US and China ended on the day of the announcement last month.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated on Tuesday that the central bank could cut interest rates if Trump’s trade war began hurting the economy.

Economists have warned that the battle with China alone could have a $1.3 trillion effect on US GDP.

Texas will be hit hardest by tariffs on Mexico, followed by Michigan, California, Illinois, and Ohio, according to the US Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re holding a gun to our own heads,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said after Tuesday’s briefing.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said he warned the Administration lawyers that the Senate can nullify the national emergency, even if Trump issues a veto.

“The White House should be concerned about what that vote would result in, because Republicans really don’t like taxing American consumers and businesses,” Johnson said.

But Trump, at a press conference in London, dismissed the challenge: “I don’t think they will do that. I think if they do, it’s foolish.”

He later turned his Twitter fire on the Democrats’ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer:

A Trump Retreat?

Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard — who warned Monday of dire economic consequences Trump proceeds — is leading a delegation to Washington this week, including a White House meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday.

Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah expressed hope: “What you’re likely to see is the Mexican government and our government finding some way to work on this collaboratively and not reach a tariff.”

But Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, who spoke with Trump on Sunday, countered, “He’s committed to this. He’s serious as four heart attacks and a stroke. He’s moving forward.”