Did 'Activist Judges' Derail Trump's Tariffs?
No. One of the judges in Wednesday's unanimous ruling was a Trump appointee, and the ruling rested on important legal and constitutional principles.
Tariffs
We Won Our Tariff Case!
The Court of International Trade just issued a decision striking down Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs and other IEEPA tariffs.
A Federal Court Just Blocked Trump's Tariffs
The Court of International Trade ruled that Trump's emergency economic powers do not include the authority to impose tariffs on nearly all imports.
Video of Cato Institute Virtual Event on "Tariffs, Emergencies, and Presidential Power"
I spoke along with my Cato colleague Walter Olson.
The Trade War Is Eroding America's Soft Power
The debate over free trade should include more than the costs of Trump's tariffs versus the value of cheaper stuff.
Mitchell Berman on Conditional Federal Grants and the Constitution
While there is no constitutional right to receive grants, the Constitution does bar grant conditions that undermine constitutional rights.
Thoughts on the Oral Argument in the Oregon Case Against Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
Like that in the similar case filed by Liberty Justice Center and myself, this one indicated judicial skepticism of Trump's claims to virtually unlimited power to impose tariffs.
Trump Declares That iPhones Should Be More Expensive
Whether due to tariffs or because they are made in America, the result would be much higher prices.
Farmers Need Free Markets, Not Tariffs and Welfare
The more important the product—and food certainly ranks high on any list—the better it is to allow markets to work.
Forbes Interview on Developments in Our Case and Other Litigation Against Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs
I was interviewed by Brittany Lewis of Forbes.
Upcoming Cato Institute Virtual Event on "Tariffs, Emergencies, and Presidential Power"
I will be speaking, along with Cato Institute scholar Walter Olson.
Subaru Is the Latest Carmaker To Hike Prices in Response to Tariffs
Subaru says it has "adjusted its pricing in response to current market conditions," but we all know what that means.
Berating the Businesses
Plus: Tim Dillon takes on the establishment, Chicago's racist hiring strategies, train fetishes, and more...
Trump Threatens Walmart Not To React to His Tariffs
On the bright side, at least Trump finally admitted his tariffs are, indeed, paid by Americans.
Trump's Tariffs Are Sapping Small Business Optimism
Seasonally adjusted job openings and capital outlay spending are declining to levels not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trade War Means Higher Prices, Fewer Customers for This Vermont Distillery: 'It's Just Chaos'
Scenes from a trade war.
New Republic Podcast Interview on Our Case Against Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs [Updated With Embedded Audio]
Greg Sargent of the New Republic interviewed me.
Trump's 'Deal' With China Leaves American Consumers and Exporters Facing Higher Tariffs Than Before
The White House calls it "the art of the deal," but a 30 percent tariff on imports from China is economically damaging and constitutionally dubious.
3 Myths About Tariffs
"If this is the end of my American dream," says one small business owner, "I'm going to go down swinging."
Thoughts on Today's Oral Argument in Our Case Against Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
Outcomes are hard to predict. But the judges seemed skeptical of the government's claim that Trump has virtually unlimited authority to impose tariffs.
No Divorce From China
Plus: Homeless encampments in California, taxing university endowments, and more...
Trump's Tariffs and Immigration Policies Destroy Thousands of Acres of Tomato Crops in Florida
“Between the cost of labor and the inputs that goes in, it’s more cost-effective for farmers” to plow over ripe tomatoes, said one expert.
The U.K. Trade Deal Screws American Consumers
Residents of the United Kingdom will get lower tariffs, while Americans are stuck paying higher ones.
Trump Is Wrong. Cheap Goods Are Awesome.
The right number of dolls? As many as your kid wants.
Trump's Tariffs Are Already Raising Car Prices and Hurting Automakers
The results were completely foreseeable, after the president imposed 25 percent tariffs on all imported automobiles and parts.
The Trouble With Donald Trump's 'Department Store' Analogy
America is not a department store. And no successful department store would be following Trump's antitrade strategy.
Trump's 'They Can Have 5' Moment is an Attack on Capitalism
Trump’s tariffs aren’t just bad economics—they’re a rejection of abundance, prosperity, and capitalism itself.
Trump's Foreign Film Tariffs Could Stick Us With Nothing but Disney Movies
Tariffs on creative media are barriers not just to goods, but also to ideas.
NPR Interview on Legal Challenges to Trump's IEEPA Tariffs
Steve Inskeep of NPR interviewed me about the case against Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs.
Rep. Suzan DelBene on Tariffs, Trade Policy, and Congressional Authority
"I've been very vocal about congressional authority under a Democratic president or now under a Republican president," the Washington state congresswoman tells Reason.
When Tariff Shortages Arrive, Here's What Might Be Missing
Sex toys, blenders, baby strollers, microwaves, hair dryers, and other affordable goods that Americans take for granted could soon be in short supply.
Trump's War on Foreign Films
Plus: Alcatraz reopening, Bukele corruption scandal, assisted suicide, and more...
Why the Major Questions Doctrine Applies to the President, Not Just Executive Agencies
This is a key issue in cases seeking to limit executive branch power grabs, including Trump's tariffs. Judge Ryan Nelson (a conservative Trump appointee) explains why the president is not exempt from the doctrine.
How Trump's Tariffs Threaten the Rule of Law
By giving one man the power to impose massive tariffs anytime he wants, Trump's policy undermines the predictability and impartiality that the rule of law requires.
5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer
Trump's comment about how "dolls" will "cost a couple of bucks more" is the latest in a long trend of nationalist conservatives disparaging affordable stuff.
Alien Enemies No More
Plus: Depriving the children of toys, a curbside rat feast, China wants to talk, and more...
Trump's Tattoo Fantasy Raises the Question: If He Were Senile, How Would We Know?
The president's bizarre insistence that Kilmar Abrego Garcia "had MS-13 tattooed" on "his knuckles" makes him seem like a confused old man.
Tariffs Won't Fix What's Ailing American Men in the Work Force
If anything, they sabotage the very forces—dynamism, adaptability, innovation—that create the economic opportunities struggling workers need.
White House Accuses Amazon of 'Hostile and Political Action' Over Rumored Tariff Disclaimer
There's nothing "hostile and political" about informing the public of the negative consequences of poor economic policy.
Senate Republicans Voted Overwhelmingly To Continue Trump's Trade War
Sen. Rand Paul's attempt to end the non-existent economic emergency failed to pass the Senate on Wednesday night.
Fewer Than 3 Friends
Plus: Growth forecasts slashed, Pravda time, fentanyl seizures, and more...
Washington Outsider Report Podcast Interview on the Trump Tariff Litigation
I was interviewed by attorney/podcaster Irina Tsukerman.
Trump Admits Tariffs Could Create Shortages, Hike Prices
"Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls," Trump said Wednesday. "And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”
The Tariffs Imposed by President Trump Are Unconstitutional
Presidential power must stem from the Constitution or a statute, and the tariffs imposed by President Trump are unauthorized by statute, making them both unlawful and unconstitutional.
Americans Doubt Trump's Trade War Will Benefit Them
Consumers and businesses are already experiencing higher prices and economic pain.
