Anyone know what legal authority POTUS is using to impose these tariffs? Constitution gives Congress power to regulate trade. Steel and aluminum tariffs arguably fit under national security exemption. But all these China tariffs don’t. Am I missing something?
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Does the executive have legal authority to impose tariffs for economic reasons--or anything besides national security? If not, the legislature is actively forfeiting power. Congress should pass a law blocking Trump's tariffs. Immediately. If not, companies hurt by it should sue.
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Here it is, the law giving POTUS the power to impose tariffs: Trade Act 1974, Section 301 (hat tip
@becauseofyomama) The language is expansive: "unjustifiable or unreasonable [trade actions] which burden or restrict United States commerce." Who determines "unreasonable"? POTUS.pic.twitter.com/59toFvm5yC
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Congress passed the Trade Act to give the president power to react quickly to another country's action. But that's a norm. Trump is using it to fight well-established practices. The text doesn't say he can't.
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Replying to @NGrossman81
Even with the 1974 Trade Act, I still imagine Trump is exerting his will, not from the legal authority the law provides, but because, as president, he gets to do whatever he wants because he thinks America is his 'closely held private corporation.'
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Sure. But the point is the law gave a lot of power to the president and Trump's actions--whatever their motivation--are legal. Under the Trade Act, the president determines when another country acted unfairly.
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