Steel tariff sparks GOP talk about stripping Trump's trade powers

[mystery-ak]

Steel tariff sparks GOP talk about stripping Trump's trade powers
by Susan Ferrechio | Mar 6, 2018, 5:00 PM

President Trump's threat to impose steel and aluminum tariffs has some Republicans so worried that they're considering legislation to curtail the power of the president to control trade policy.

Trump has said he would impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum, both in the name of national security. He's legally allowed to take that step, but many Republicans worry the move would spark a trade war that brings devastating economic consequences to the United States.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced a bill in June that would shift the power to impose trade regulations back to Congress after decades of control by the executive branch. The bill would require congressional approval of all executive branch trade actions, including tariffs.

more
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/steel-tariff-sparks-gop-talk-about-stripping-trumps-trade-powers/article/2650861

[endicom]

Congress should never have absolved itself from that responsibility.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Congress should never have absolved itself from that responsibility.

 

[skeeter]

What does the Constitution say?

[Bigun]

Congress should never have absolved itself from that responsibility.

  along with several other things!

[Fantom]

Congress should never have absolved itself from that responsibility.

Actually, considering the state of Congress, that is one which should reside withe the Executive, let Congress override with super-majority vote, or even a majority vote. But dealing with foreign countries is an Executive domain, subject to Congressional disapproval if large enough.

Each Branch has powers. It is a balance.

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Actually, considering the state of Congress, that is one which should reside withe the Executive, let Congress override with super-majority vote, or even a majority vote. But dealing with foreign countries is an Executive domain, subject to Congressional disapproval if large enough.

Each Branch has powers. It is a balance.

 

[edpc]

What does the Constitution say?

I'm assuming you're being rhetorical and already know, but for the benefit of others.........


The United States Constitution gives Congress the power to impose and collect taxes, tariffs, duties, and the like, and to regulate international commerce. While the Constitution gives the President authority to negotiate international agreements, it assigns him no specific power over international commerce and trade. Through legislation, however, Congress may delegate some of its power to the President, such as the power to modify tariffs under certain circumstances. Thus, because the President does not possess express constitutional authority to modify tariffs, he must find authority for tariff-related action in statute.

Prior to the early 1930s, Congress itself usually set tariff rates for imported products. Over time, however, Congress increasingly delegated authority to the President to reduce tariffs, subject to statutorily prescribed time periods, periodic review, and renewal. As the focus of international trade negotiations shifted from the imposition of tariffs to other non-tariff barriers to trade, such as antidumping duties, however, Congress was less inclined to authorize the President to implement such measures by presidential proclamation. Instead, Congress provided for legislative implementation of international trade agreements under an expedited procedure, so long as certain criteria were met. Over the past few decades, Congress has continued to enact various provisions governing the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements, but has not delegated to the President a general authority to modify tariff rates.

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44707.pdf

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Congress should never have absolved itself from that responsibility.

They have the power to take it back...They may even have a VETO proof majority to pass it over President Trump's objection.  It will be fun finding out.