Senate Democrats have introduced legislation that would repeal several of President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, return certain duties already collected from importers and limit two of the statutory authorities the administration has used to impose tariffs.

The End Trump’s Tariff Tax Act, introduced September 1 by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and 12 Democratic senators, along with independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, targets tariffs imposed under three separate authorities. The bill was referred to committee after being introduced and has not yet changed the tariffs currently in effect.

The legislation would first terminate tariffs stemming from a July investigation into whether foreign countries were adequately preventing imports of goods made with forced labor. That investigation resulted in U.S. trade action involving roughly 60 economies.

The bill would also repeal Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, an authority concerning balance-of-payments problems, and Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which allows the president to impose duties in response to discriminatory treatment of U.S. commerce. The bill specifies that both repeals would take effect August 1, 2026, and would terminate duties imposed under those provisions before the legislation’s enactment.

Perhaps the most immediate financial provision concerns tariffs already paid. Under the bill, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would have 30 days after enactment to automatically refund qualifying duties, with interest, to importers. The refunds would cover forced-labor-related duties collected beginning July 23 and duties imposed under Sections 122 and 338 beginning August 1. Importers would not have to submit a separate refund request or additional documentation, and the bill directs Customs to prioritize small businesses when practicable.

Democrats say the measure is intended to reduce costs for American consumers and businesses and to restore a greater role for Congress in setting trade policy.

The legislation’s broader significance is its attempt to address not only individual tariffs but also the presidential authority behind them. Repealing Sections 122 and 338 would make it more difficult for a future president to use those specific provisions to impose tariffs without additional congressional action.

For now, however, the bill is primarily a legislative proposal. It would have to clear Congress and be signed into law before the targeted tariffs were terminated or the refunds issued. With the measure introduced by Senate Democrats and no indication yet that it has the support necessary to pass both chambers, its immediate effect on U.S. trade policy is limited.

The bill nonetheless sets up another congressional fight over a fundamental question of U.S. trade policy: how much authority should the president have to impose tariffs, and how much should rest with Congress?

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