S. 5315, Unilateral Tariff Authority Delegation. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a net cost — and names who bears it.

What it does

This bill authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to impose additional tariffs on imports from any country with which the U.S. runs a trade deficit in goods, with the goal of eliminating that deficit. The Trade Representative must identify trade-deficit countries annually and may raise tariffs on their goods—subject to presidential direction—unless exemptions apply for critical materials or items unavailable domestically. The bill also permits negotiation of bilateral trade agreements to reduce deficits through increased U.S. exports or reduced foreign exports to the U.S.

The analysis names domestic import-competing manufacturers (steel, autos, textiles, agriculture) — and 2 more groups — among the beneficiaries.

The cost

The bill grants the President near-unilateral tariff authority with only post-hoc consultation (not approval) required from Congress, effectively shifting trade-policy power from the legislative to executive branch.

The analysis put a high warning level on this bill. Transparency scores 72%, and the analysis found no provisions unrelated to the bill's subject.

Who is behind it

Filed by Rick Scott. Cosponsored by Kevin Cramer and Tim Sheehy.