Trump's Tariffs: A Threat to the Economy and the Constitution

President Trump's tariffs have become a hallmark of his second term, causing harm to both the American economy and his own popularity. His repeated attempts to impose tariffs have been met with resistance from Congress and the courts, who are urging him to abide by the Constitution.

The Supreme Court has already ruled against most of Trump's tariffs, deeming them illegal in February. However, he refused to back down, saying 'Their decision is incorrect' and 'But it doesn't matter.' This defiance is part of a broader pattern, where Trump has tried to circumvent court rulings more often than his predecessors.

The administration's latest round of tariffs on global goods was justified by citing a 1974 law that empowers the president to enact tariffs against countries that import goods made with forced labor. However, this rationale is flimsy, as federal law already allows for blocking the entry of such goods. Trump has used this law to apply tariffs to over 80 countries responsible for more than 99% of American imports.

Congress and judges can play a crucial role in halting these tariffs. Many Republicans in Congress are unhappy with the policy, and they have the power to pass new laws closing loopholes Trump has used. Judges, particularly those on the Court of International Trade, should swiftly rule against the forced-labor tariffs.