Trump is determined to pursue his trade war – and he may be difficult to stop
The president’s minions have trawled the statutes to restore roadblocks to trade. The invocation of Smoot-Hawley looks especially dangerousDonald Trump may have found the killer weapon to punish countries at will: by imposing tariffs on their exports to the United States.The president has been looking for a new tool since February, when the supreme court struck down tariffs he slapped on virtually all of America’s trading partners based on the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, or IEEPA, on the spurious grounds that the US faced a variety of national emergencies.
Reported by 1 outlet — The Guardian US. See all sources ↓
President Trump wants to continue his trade war with other countries. After a court blocked his use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, his team is searching other laws. They are looking at the old Smoot-Hawley law to justify new tariffs. If they succeed, Trump could place tariffs on goods coming into the US from any country.
Why it matters
Higher tariffs can raise prices for consumers and affect businesses that rely on imported goods. It could also lead to retaliation from other countries and hurt global trade.
- What law did the court block Trump from using for tariffs?
- The International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA).
- What old law is his team considering to impose new tariffs?
- The Smoot-Hawley tariff act.
- Who is searching for new ways to put tariffs on imports?
- Trump’s administration officials.
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Trump is determined to pursue his trade war – and he may be difficult to stop
Sources1TypeCoverageThe Guardian US