Do presidentially imposed tariffs threaten the rule of law?
The power to regulate trade and impose tariffs sits at the intersection of taxation, foreign policy, and the Constitution. Regardless of the policy and economic considerations, the president’s claim of unilateral power to impose tariffs raises significant questions about checks and balances, congressional authority, and presidential power.
In practice, tariff regimes also raise concerns about selective, uneven enforcement, and rent-seeking.
Join us on Wednesday, July 23, at 12 noon ET as we break down the history of tariff power, how it’s been shaped by Congress and the courts, and what’s at stake in today’s debates over executive authority.
July 22, 2025