Brendan Smialowski/AFP by way of Getty Photos
Brendan Smialowski/AFP by way of Getty Photos
When President Trump introduced his sweeping new tariffs this yr, many commerce legislation consultants had been startled. Sometimes, presidents haven’t got the authority to impose broad tariffs with a snap of their fingers.
However Trump’s advisors have an uncommon new authorized principle. They are saying that so long as there is a nationwide emergency of some form, Trump might be able to create no matter tariffs he needs. It is a artistic interpretation of a 1977 legislation known as the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act, or IEEPA. To justify his newest tariffs, the president declared nationwide emergencies involving unlawful immigration, the fentanyl disaster, and the commerce deficit.
However no president has ever tried to make use of the legislation on this approach.
Now, the destiny of Trump’s tariffs — and the artistic authorized principle behind them — lies with the courts. A couple of dozen lawsuits have challenged his tariffs, claiming that they’re illegal and presumably even unconstitutional. And a few judges have began to agree.
On at this time’s present: What are the President’s powers in terms of tariffs? The place do they arrive from? What are their limits? And, what would be the destiny of Trump’s tariffs?
For extra on Trump’s tariffs:
This episode was hosted by Willa Rubin and Jeff Guo. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and edited by Jess Jiang. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Harry Paul with an help from Gilly Moon. Alex Goldmark is Planet Cash‘s government producer.
Discover extra Planet Cash: Fb / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly E-newsletter.
Pay attention free at these hyperlinks: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anyplace you get podcasts.
Assist assist Planet Cash and listen to our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Cash+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Music: Common Manufacturing Music – “Nonsense,” “Pop and Lock,” and “Pulse Hop”
