Trump’s Team Considers National Economic Emergency to Justify Trade Tariffs
The incoming US President, Donald Trump, is considering declaring a national economic emergency to gain legal justification for imposing numerous trade tariffs on allies and opponents, according to four sources familiar with the matter, speaking to CNN.
By doing so, Trump would be able to establish a new tariff program, utilizing the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), which grants the President the authority to control imports during a national emergency, unilaterally.
Trump has a preference for this law, as it provides him with broad powers to implement tariffs without stringent requirements to prove that the tariffs are necessary for national security.
Trump’s transition team did not respond to a request for comment. It is believed that Trump will intentionally build maximum pressure before taking office to negotiate a strong position on tariffs and other economic and political issues with the EU, China, Canada, and Mexico.
Supporters of the tariffs in the US believe they are essential for reviving the US industry. “The Trump team has understood that we need to rebuild our industrial capacities for economic and national security reasons, and that will be good for the communities and American workers” said Nick Iacovella, Senior Vice President of the Coalition for a Prosperous America. “To achieve these goals, we need a robust, pro-American trade policy, including tariffs.