President Trump is appealing a court ruling that his tariffs are illegal.  Trump has been using tariffs to raise revenues, but also for political purposes.
Trump has been imposing tariffs on imports to raise revenue for the U.S. and to impose his will by continuously threatening and raising tariffs to aid the former president of Brazil who was prosecuted for trying to incite a coup.  He’s also using tariffs as a political weapon for persuading other countries to burn more fossil fuels and retreat from wind and solar energy.
Trump spent some time soothing India’s relationship by promoting “a win-win” partnership.  Four months later, Trump declared economic war against India.  He dramatically raised tariffs on imports of Indian goods.
The Supreme Court is well aware that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress, not the President, authority over both taxes and tariffs.  This was central to the framers’ checks and balances.  James Madison (considered to be the “Father of the Constitution) argued that the president could not become king because the “purse is in the hands of the representatives of the people.”
Will the Supreme Court be political and rule in favor of Trump or will it adhere to the Constitution?
Gerry Snyder
Ely/Simsbury, Conn.