Sánchez: Federal court is right, Trump is abusing emergency trade authorities

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Court of International Trade blocked President Trump from using emergency powers to impose tariffs on imports:

“The federal court is absolutely right. President Trump is blatantly abusing emergency powers to impose broad tariffs that are upending our economy and global trade.

“Emergency powers are not a blank check for the president to bypass Congress. He cannot toss out new tariffs every time he gets mad at another country.

“Congress, not the president, has authority over trade, and it’s time Republicans fulfill their oath to the Constitution and work with us to put an end to this administration’s overreach. If they don’t, Republicans risk letting President Trump’s erratic trade policies drive us straight into a recession.”

Background

Ranking Member Sánchez introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill that would turn off the global tariffs imposed on April 2, turn off the tariffs imposed by executive order for Mexico and Canada, and require congressional approval for tariffs imposed by the president. The bill has the support of all Ways and Means Democrats.

Ways and Means Republicans also blocked her amendment to the tax bill that would have ended these tariffs.

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