(2/2) Donald Trump has Officially Imposed Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China



I mentioned last time it is foundational for Donald Trump to cite reasons such as fentanyl to justify large tariffs on Canada, because in the video I linked to of him this seems to be smoke and mirrors since in his words were he wants tariffs to make America “filthy rich.” Today he posted:
We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!
In fact, Canada buys more from the United States than any other country does. If the energy sector—oil, natural gas, and electricity—is not included in calculations, the U.S. has had a trade surplus with Canada for the last sixteen years straight. SEE Here . Trump continued his rant that:
The “Tariff Lobby,” headed by the Globalist, and always wrong, Wall Street Journal, is working hard to justify Countries like Canada, Mexico, China, and too many others to name, continue the decades long RIPOFF OF AMERICA, both with regard to TRADE, CRIME, AND POISONOUS DRUGS that are allowed to so freely flow into AMERICA. THOSE DAYS ARE OVER! The USA has major deficits with Canada, Mexico, and China (and almost all countries!), owes 36 Trillion Dollars, and we’re not going to be the “Stupid Country” any longer. MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE NO TARIFFS! Why should the United States lose TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SUBSIDIZING OTHER COUNTRIES, and why should these other countries pay a small fraction of the cost of what USA citizens pay for Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, as an example? THIS WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA! WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID. WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!
This is smoke and mirrors. Trump is clearly pulling any excuse he can to justify his hoped-for tariff cash cow. His whole argument is based on the long-term goal that companies will move to the states rather than pay tariffs.
American presidents do not have the unilateral authority to impose tariffs on other countries arbitrarily. Tariffs in the United States are governed by a combination of constitutional principles, statutory frameworks, and international agreements:
1. Constitutional Authority
- The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations, including the power to impose tariffs. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Commerce Clause) explicitly gives Congress the power “to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.”
- Tariffs are a form of taxation, and the Constitution also grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1). This means that Congress has the primary authority to set tariff rates.
2. Congressional Delegation of Authority
- Over time, Congress has delegated some of its tariff-related authority to the president through legislation. These laws allow the president to adjust tariffs under specific circumstances, often related to national security, trade negotiations, or retaliatory measures. Examples of such laws include:
- Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962: This allows the president to impose tariffs or quotas on imports if they are deemed a threat to national security. For example, former President Donald Trump used this provision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in 2018, citing national security concerns.
- Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974: This authorizes the president to take action, including imposing tariffs, against countries that engage in unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft or discriminatory trade policies.
- International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA): This law allows the president to declare a national emergency and impose economic sanctions, including tariffs, in response to extraordinary threats.
- While these laws grant the president significant authority, they are not unlimited. The president must justify the use of these powers within the legal framework provided by Congress.
3. Limitations on Presidential Power
- Congressional Oversight: Congress retains the ultimate authority to modify or repeal the laws that delegate tariff powers to the president. If Congress disagrees with a president’s actions, it can pass legislation to limit or reverse those actions, though this requires enough votes to override a potential presidential veto.
- Judicial Review: Presidential actions on tariffs can be challenged in court. For example, companies or countries affected by tariffs may sue, arguing that the president exceeded their authority or violated trade agreements. Courts can rule on whether the president’s actions comply with the law.
- International Trade Agreements: The U.S. is a party to various international trade agreements, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, which impose rules on how tariffs can be applied. Violating these agreements can lead to retaliation from other countries or disputes at the WTO.
4. Practical and Political Constraints
- Tariffs imposed by the president often face political pushback from Congress, businesses, and consumers. For example, tariffs can raise costs for American companies that rely on imported goods, leading to higher prices for consumers and potential job losses in affected industries.
- Retaliatory tariffs from other countries can also harm U.S. exporters, creating economic and political pressure on the president to reconsider or negotiate.
5. Historical Context
- Historically, tariffs were a major source of federal revenue, and Congress set specific rates through legislation. Over the 20th century, as income taxes became the primary revenue source, tariffs shifted toward being a tool for trade policy rather than revenue generation.
- Presidents like Donald Trump have used their delegated authority to impose tariffs more aggressively than their predecessors, often as part of broader trade strategies (e.g., renegotiating trade deals or addressing trade imbalances). However, these actions have sparked debates about the scope of presidential power and the economic consequences of tariffs.
While American presidents have significant authority to impose tariffs under specific legal frameworks, they cannot do so arbitrarily. Their power is derived from laws passed by Congress, and their actions are subject to congressional oversight, judicial review, and international trade rules. Tariffs are not imposed in a vacuum; they are part of a complex system of checks and balances designed to balance executive action with legislative authority and international obligations.
It is imperative for countries like China, Canada, and Mexico (and Trump is threatening many more) to stand strong and in solidarity. We all know why Trump wants tariffs and it has nothing to do with fentanyl. The greatest opponent of Trump is Trump: