Trade Review Act Limits Presidential Tariffs to 60 Days Unless Congress Acts

The new Trade Review Act of 2025 is all about putting a leash on the President’s power to slap new taxes—or “duties”—on imported goods. Essentially, if the White House decides to impose a new tariff or hike an existing one, that tax automatically expires after 60 days unless Congress steps in and passes a specific law to keep it going. This is a significant shift, forcing the Executive Branch to get legislative buy-in quickly for any major, new trade tax.

The 60-Day Clock and the Fine Print

When the President imposes a new duty, they have to notify Congress within 48 hours. This isn't just a heads-up; the notification must include a full explanation of why the duty is necessary and, critically, an assessment of how it will impact American businesses and consumers. Think of it like a required economic impact statement you have to submit before you can break ground on a major project. If Congress doesn't pass a “joint resolution of approval” within 60 calendar days, the duty vanishes. This setup gives Congress a hard deadline and a clear mechanism for oversight.

For example, say the President decides to impose a 25% tariff on imported semiconductors. Under current law, that tariff could stay in place indefinitely. Under this Act, that 25% tariff would disappear after 60 days unless your representatives in Congress actively vote to save it. This provides a huge relief valve for industries—like car manufacturers or electronics companies—that might suddenly face massive cost increases due to a new tariff.

The Congressional Override Button

Beyond the 60-day expiration, the Act also gives Congress a faster way to kill a duty they don't like. If Congress passes a “joint resolution of disapproval” and it becomes law, the duty is immediately terminated. The bill sets up expedited procedures for both approval and disapproval resolutions, meaning Congress can't just let the measure languish in committee; they are forced to deal with it quickly. This is designed to ensure that the legislative branch can respond to trade actions in real-time.

This system gives more power back to the legislative branch, which is good news for predictability. However, there’s a catch: the bill explicitly states that this entire process doesn't apply to existing anti-dumping or countervailing duties already on the books. These are the tariffs often imposed on specific countries or products found to be unfairly subsidized or sold below cost. This exemption means that some of the most complex and long-lasting trade barriers are untouched by this new oversight mechanism, limiting the scope of the bill to only new presidential actions.

Who Wins and Who Loses?

For businesses that rely on imports—from small retailers stocking foreign goods to large manufacturers sourcing raw materials—this bill is a win for stability. It means they won't be blindsided by a sudden, permanent tariff that blows up their supply chain and budget. They only have to plan around a 60-day window of uncertainty. The Executive Branch, however, loses a tool for immediate, long-term trade leverage. If they want a new tariff to stick, they now have to spend political capital convincing Congress it’s a good idea, rather than just imposing it unilaterally.