(JAMESTOWN, N.D.) – North Dakota Farmers Union announced its support today of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would limit the power of the president to implement trade tariffs without congressional approval. The Trump Administration’s widespread implementation of tariffs last week has already caused a significant drop in the price of several crops.
“North Dakota will be hardest hit by these tariffs,” said North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne. “North Dakota farmers and ranchers rely heavily on strong export markets and are especially vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs.”
If enacted, The Trade Review Act of 2025 would restore congressional authority over tariffs as outlined in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution by placing limits on a president’s power to impose tariffs. It would require the president to notify Congress of tariff action within 48 hours, which then gives Congress 60 days to pass a joint resolution of approval. If disapproved, the tariff would end.
Watne said restoring Congress’s authority over tariffs would promote more orderly and thoughtful trade policies. “This administration’s approach to tariffs has created a huge amount of confusion and uncertainty. We need Congress to step up and exercise its constitutional authority.”
The long-term damage done to relationships with trading partners is of equal concern to farmers, Watne said. “If we don’t take a more deliberate approach to our trade relationships, we will no longer be a trusted partner and buyers will go elsewhere. That means farmers will get paid less over longer periods of time for the products we export.”
