The Trump White House cited my research to justify tariffs. They got it all wrong. It’s frustrating, to say the least, to see your work twisted to support policies that are fundamentally flawed. My research, which they selectively quoted, never intended to endorse the reckless application of tariffs without a comprehensive industrial policy. The administration’s approach was not just misguided, it was demonstrably incompetent.
Instead of employing a thoughtful strategy, the administration seemed to operate on gut feelings and a lack of understanding of basic economics. They treated tariffs as a silver bullet, ignoring the potential for unintended consequences and the complexities of international trade.… Continue reading
In response to President Trump’s new tariffs, a House Republican plans to introduce legislation limiting the White House’s ability to impose tariffs without Congressional approval. This bill, mirroring a bipartisan Senate proposal, would require the President to inform Congress within 48 hours of any new tariff, providing reasoning and impact analysis. Congress would then have 60 days to approve the tariff or it would expire. While facing challenges in the House, the bill has garnered initial support and could gain momentum depending on the economic impact of the new tariffs. The legislation underscores the constitutional debate over Congress’s authority on tariffs and taxes.
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Elon Musk’s recent criticism of Trump administration officials, particularly regarding the president’s tariffs, signals a growing distance between the two. Musk, who has reportedly lost billions due to the tariffs’ impact on global markets, advocates for a “zero tariff situation” between the U.S. and Europe. Despite Trump’s continued defense of the tariffs and reported desire to keep Musk involved in the White House, Musk’s public dissent highlights a significant policy disagreement. This divergence comes amidst ongoing protests against both Musk and the Trump administration.
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Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, opposes President Trump’s recent tariffs, arguing that past Republican support for protectionist trade policies contributed to the Great Depression. He supports bipartisan Senate legislation, the “Trade Review Act of 2025,” which would require congressional approval for new tariffs and limit the president’s unilateral tariff authority. Bacon will introduce a House companion bill, aiming to restore Congress’s constitutional role in setting trade policy. The bill faces an uphill battle in the House, but has garnered some support from Republican members.
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Trump’s tariffs, according to a conservative think tank, stemmed from a fundamental miscalculation. The entire policy was built upon a flawed understanding of basic economics, leading to significantly inaccurate estimations of their impact. This wasn’t simply a minor oversight; it was a profound error in judgment that had far-reaching consequences.
The core issue lay in the formula used to determine the tariff levels. The administration’s approach fundamentally misunderstood how tariffs affect import prices, resulting in drastically inflated levies. They incorrectly assumed that a minimal portion of the tariff would be reflected in the final price paid by consumers.
The reality, as highlighted by the think tank, is far different.… Continue reading
American farmers are experiencing devastating economic consequences due to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, impacting both product prices and input costs like fertilizer and equipment. These tariffs, particularly the 25% levy on steel, significantly increase the cost of essential Canadian-made farm equipment, creating a substantial burden for American producers. Agricultural economists warn that the resulting uncertainty has already caused irreparable harm to both U.S. and Canadian economies, hindering investment and slowing growth, regardless of any future tariff reversals. The situation highlights the unintended negative consequences of protectionist trade policies on close trading partners.
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House Republicans are proposing a bill designed to give Congress the power to block tariffs imposed by the President. This legislation, framed as a mechanism for congressional oversight, aims to curtail the executive branch’s authority in setting trade policy, particularly focusing on the controversial tariffs implemented during the Trump administration.
The bill’s core mechanism involves a 60-day review period. Any tariffs imposed by the President would automatically expire after 60 days unless Congress explicitly approves them via a resolution. Furthermore, Congress could proactively overturn existing tariffs at any time through a resolution of disapproval. This structure attempts to balance the need for swift executive action in certain circumstances with the crucial role of Congress in shaping national economic policy.… Continue reading
Senator Ted Cruz publicly criticized President Trump’s newly announced reciprocal tariffs, asserting his opposition to tariffs in general due to their negative impact on American consumers. Cruz expressed hope that the tariffs would serve as leverage to reduce global tariffs, resulting in a net benefit for the U.S., but acknowledged the potential for a detrimental escalation of trade barriers. He argued that tariffs ultimately function as a tax increase on consumers. The tariffs, set to take effect in early April, are intended by the Trump administration to bolster the U.S. economic standing and safeguard American jobs.
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The Trump administration faced its first legal challenge over its tariffs on Chinese imports when the New Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, filed a lawsuit in Florida. The lawsuit alleges that the president overstepped his authority in imposing these tariffs, arguing that his actions were an abuse of power and not legally justifiable.
The timing of this lawsuit raises intriguing questions. Why, after years of relative inaction, is this challenge surfacing now? Some suggest that even within the conservative movement, there’s a growing recognition that the president’s actions have spiraled beyond control, creating unintended consequences. The argument that decades of established trade practices suddenly constitute a national emergency seems unconvincing to many.… Continue reading
Sens. Grassley and Cantwell’s bipartisan bill seeks to increase congressional oversight of presidential tariffs. The legislation mandates congressional approval for tariffs lasting beyond 60 days. Further, it necessitates presidential notification to Congress within 48 hours of any tariff announcement. This measure aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the tariff-setting process. Senator Cantwell further elaborated on these points in an interview with José Díaz-Balart.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker