Taxpayer Watchdog Calls for Congress to Rein In Executive Tariff Powers

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the last week, newly-inaugurated President Trump has expressed his intention to invoke different executive tariff powers. President Trump proposed implementing sweeping new tariffs against imports from a host of nations, including Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, and Russia. The President’s eagerness to use tariff rates as a foreign policy tool can unduly burden American consumers, who will see sudden rises in prices.

Changes to tariff rates should come after appropriate evaluation of economic impacts, which are often disregarded in executive actions. To restore accountability and reduce economic volatility, Congress should reclaim its constitutional mandate to levy taxes.

In response, Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) President David Williams provided the following comment:

“Tariffs are taxes and tariff rates are extremely distortionary for local economies. The fact that a sitting President could, with the stroke of a pen, introduce a 25 or 50 percent tax on foreign goods should concern consumers and policymakers alike. Over a matter of days, consumers could experience tremendous price increases at the shelf. History has repeatedly shown that it is consumers who foot the bills for tariffs. Tariff rates should not be increased on a whim from the current President – if at all. They should be the product of careful consideration by Congress.

“The impact of trade wars and tariffs extends well beyond the era of any President. They can erode diplomatic relations between countries, leaving long-lasting damage. These potential ramifications should be brought into the open and discussed by representatives of the American public. Thus, the decision to enact (or not) these measures should be taken by Congress, not by the President.

“Tariffs are taxes. Article I of the Constitution clearly vests the power to levy taxes with the legislative branch. TPA calls unto congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over commerce, and rein in executive powers over tariffs.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.