Trump‘s trade agreements brought stability but no legitimacy
After the shock and awe of President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariffs on everything from everywhere, the administration eventually negotiated agreements setting tariffs on imports generally at a lower than the threatened rate from about a dozen countries, including America’s largest trading partners. The new rates came as a relief for trade, but the lack of any clear authority from Congress or consultation with any of the rest of us―including importers, producers, and consumers―rendered them illegitimate if not illegal. We, the people, were never asked what we thought about any of this.
PIIE
2025.12.16