Is It Time to Make It Tougher for the President to Impose Tariffs on National Security Grounds?

What’s the story?

• Incoming Republican Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) signaled he’s open to legislation that would limit presidential authority to impose tariffs in the name of national security.

“Maybe the definition of national security, or maybe the conditions under which national security could be used as an excuse, is a little wide,” Grassley told Axios.

• Trump used what’s known as “Section 232” authority to justify tariffs on steel and aluminum imports earlier this year.
• Grassley expressed support for bipartisan legislation that would ensure “any Section 232 actions are based on a national security determination by the Department of Defense [and that] Congress has a larger role to play in 232 actions.”

What do you think?

Is it time to reform the national security tariff process? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / primeimages)