Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley on Tuesday claimed that Congress has given presidents too much authority on trade, as President Donald Trump issues steep tariffs on U.S. trading partners. 

The comment occurred during a Senate Finance Committee hearing where U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified about the president's trade policies.

Grassley, who cosponsored a bill on Monday that would limit the president's trade authority, said although he thinks Congress has given the president too much power on trade, he supports Trump's goal of lowering tariffs that other countries impose on the U.S. and his mission to get better a "better deal from China."

“I made very clear throughout my public service that I’m a free and fair trader," Grassley said. "The Constitution gives Congress the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. I believe that Congress delegated too much authority to the president in the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Trade Act of 1974.

“That said, I support President Trump’s agenda to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers other countries impose on American goods," he added.

The senator also said that he is taking a "wait and see" approach to the president's tariffs, but questioned whether the president's goal was to turn the tariffs into trade deals, or to simply replenish the U.S. treasury. Grassley said he does support turning the tariffs into a trade deal, but not using it to replenish the treasury.

"It’s going to be country by country," Greer said. “There are going to be some countries where they’re not able to address their non-tariff barriers or their tariffs, or the deficit fully, and there will be others who I think will be able to do that, and where the president will have the option of making a deal with them. So we’re certainly seeking reciprocity.”

The hearing comes the day after seven Republican senators signed onto a bipartisan bill that would require Congress to approve Trump’s future tariffs. Under the bill, the president would be required to notify Congress of his intention to impose new or increased tariffs within 48 hours, and provide an explanation for the action.

Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Todd Young of Indiana, and Susan Collins of Maine also supported the legislation, according to The Hill.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.