Democrats Criticize Trump’s New Tariffs as ‘End-Run Around the Supreme Court and Congress’ – As It Happened

The latest salvo in the ongoing trade war has sparked widespread criticism from lawmakers and world leaders. The announcement of new tariffs on 85 countries for allegedly failing to crack down on forced labor has been met with skepticism, even outright ridicule.

This move is an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court and Congress by rebranding existing trade restrictions under the guise of combating forced labor. The Trump administration has long used tariffs as a blunt instrument to achieve policy goals, often disregarding facts and international norms.

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez pointed out that if the administration were genuinely concerned about forced labor, it would apply the same tariff rate to China, one of the world’s worst offenders. This criticism is not new; similar tactics have been employed in the past, such as the administration’s attempt to reallocate funds from the Pentagon budget without Congressional approval.

The international community is not buying what the administration is selling. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, chose to ignore the new tariffs in her statement on meeting with US trade representative Jamieson Greer, focusing instead on “bilateral agreements” and reviewing the USMCA free trade agreement. Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, went further, calling the 12.5% tariffs “unjustified and inconsistent” with their free trade agreement.

Lawmakers are getting tired of being treated like pawns in this game of tariff chicken. Congresswoman Sánchez’s scathing critique was matched by Republican congressman Thomas Massie, who called the Pentagon’s handling of Iran war death tolls an “absurd ruse.” The defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is being accused of breaking the law by going more than 90 days without congressional authorization.

The implications of this move go far beyond just tariffs. It raises questions about the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, as well as its willingness to disregard established norms of international trade. What does it say about our country’s reputation on the world stage when we’re willing to unilaterally impose sanctions without evidence or due process?

The battle over these tariffs is far from over. Expect more fireworks in the coming days and weeks as lawmakers, businesses, and international leaders push back against this latest salvo from the Trump administration. As we move forward, one thing’s clear: the stakes are higher than ever, and it’s up to us to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.

The game of tariff chicken may have its entertainment value, but at what cost? The real question is, will anyone be held accountable for this end-run around the law?