In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the global economy, President Donald Trump is pressing forward with his contentious tariff agenda despite growing legal and public opposition. Undeterred by a looming Supreme Court ruling that could strike down his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping trade barriers, the Trump administration is already planning its next steps to keep tariffs in place.
Bypassing the Courts
According to reports from The New York Times, the administration is prepared to quickly replace any tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court with new levies under different legal authorities. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the Times that they would "start the next day" to enact replacement tariffs, potentially drawing from a 1974 law allowing broad 15% duties or a 1930 act permitting up to 50% tariffs.
Defying Public Opinion
Trump's stubborn push to preserve his tariff agenda also appears to be at odds with the court of public opinion. Recent polling shows that a majority of Americans now oppose the president's trade barriers, with 54% disapproving compared to just 41% approving. This shift in public sentiment could spell trouble for Trump as he gears up for a potential 2024 presidential run.
The Bigger Picture
What this really means is that Trump is doubling down on his protectionist economic policies, even as they face growing legal and political headwinds. By maneuvering to preserve tariffs through alternate legal channels, the administration is signaling its determination to maintain a central pillar of Trump's "America First" agenda, regardless of the cost to the global trading system or public opinion. This move could further strain the president's relationship with Congress, the courts, and the American people, setting the stage for a prolonged battle over the future of US trade policy.