ron.reagan said:
KaiBear said:
ron.reagan said:
Broad tariffs used to strong arm foreign policy is peak stupidity. The last thing we need is a liberal going in and deciding to tariff every country that doesn't add men can breast feed to their constitution.
We absolutely need targeted and higher tariffs against certain countries and products, especially ship building and steel right now
Congress has zero ability to pass meaningful tariff legislation in a timely manner.
And our foreign competitors have known this for decades.
As a result US companies will continue to close or move overseas.
Although I comprehend the rationale behind the SC decision.
It is an unmitigated disaster for our working class.
It's almost like he shouldn't have applied a tariff to the entire planet forcing the supreme court to hear the case
That is not true that there is no ability to pass tariffs with Congress.
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 - Last 4 years, but there has to be a Commerce Investigation and Public Hearing. (Trump used it 1st term)
Section 122, also of the Trade Act of 1974 - Can immediately put 15%, but it has a short lifespan of 150 days. But that is enough time to apply 301 or 232.
Section 232 of Trade Expansion Act of 1962 - Trump used this one against China in the first term. But it requires an investigation and determination of National Interest, but he did it 1st term.
He can also go the nuclear option - Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, Section 338. This can go as high as 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses. No investigation is required, and there's no limit. At the very least it would force Congress to the table. (Bessent referenced this)
There are options, but it requires work and coordination. This is what I am so pissed at the Trump Administration for doing. They take the easy way out. Good idea, sound policy and then lazy execution. All these require coordination of the Executive Branch to work together and identify the best targets. NOT Bannon and Miller sitting around saying slap 50% here or there.
Or, did we let go of everyone in Commerce under DOGE?