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https://theconversation.com/trump-tariff-ruling-shows-top-courts-serve-as-last-line-of-defence-against-strongman-rule-276571>
"The US Supreme Court told Donald Trump on February 20 that the tariffs he has
used to try and bend the world to his will are unlawful. Tariffs are taxes and
it is not for the president to impose them. According to the US constitution,
Congress holds the power of the purse.
Trump relied on the terms of a 1977 law designed to address national
emergencies, the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to impose the
majority of his tariffs. The court held that this law did not provide Trump
with the legal authority to impose them.
In a post on social media following the court’s decision, Trump called the
justices who ruled against him a “Disgrace to our Nation”. And he has
subsequently announced that he will rely on another law, section 122 of the
1974 Trade Act, to impose worldwide tariffs of 15%.
But even if Trump’s use of that law survives legal challenge, these tariffs
would be time limited. The act says that after 150 days the tariffs would
continue only if Congress says so. Trump disagrees, saying in his State of the
Union address on February 25 that “congressional action will not be necessary”.
Trump is a would-be “strongman” leader. Like all strongmen, his aim is to
concentrate political power in himself and those closest to him. Since
returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has preferred to rule by
way of executive order rather than through the legislative process. He has done
so despite his Republican party controlling both houses of Congress.
Strongmen want to rule without the interference or oversight of legislatures
and courts. But Trump has discovered that, in a constitutional democracy that
is governed by the rule of law, the Supreme Court will not allow that to
happen."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
