Sánchez: Congress must reclaim trade authority before Trump "plunges economy into recession"

(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez, who represents portions of Downey and Southeast Los Angeles County, is sounding the alarm over what she calls President Donald Trump’s "reckless" trade policies, warning they could trigger a new economic recession unless Congress takes back control over tariffs and trade.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Sánchez, the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, criticized Trump’s recent actions on trade, claiming they have already begun to shrink the U.S. economy.

“President Trump inherited a strong, growing economy that was the envy of the world,” Sánchez said. “But in just 100 days, his reckless trade policies have sent our economy spiraling downward and we’re now staring at the very real threat of yet another Republican-led recession."

“That means lost jobs, rising prices, and working families once again forced to bear the brunt of this administration’s failures – all due to self-inflicted wounds by a president dangerously out of control,” she continued.

Sánchez is urging her colleagues in Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over trade policy. Earlier this month, she introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, which would require congressional approval for any tariffs imposed by the president and would reverse global tariffs enacted on April 2, as well as existing tariffs against Mexico and Canada.

All Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee have endorsed the bill.

Trump’s trade strategy has long relied on sweeping tariffs, imposed through executive action, targeting global steel, aluminum, and other imports in an effort to reduce trade deficits and pressure foreign governments. Critics argue these tariffs have backfired, raising costs for U.S. consumers and manufacturers while prompting retaliatory measures from trade partners.

Sánchez, a senior member of the California delegation, said the stakes are particularly high for working-class communities like those in her district.

“Congress must reclaim its authority over trade and tariffs before President Trump plunges us into a recession,” she said.

No hearings on the legislation have been scheduled as of Tuesday.