Thread by @BehizyTweets

Since the so-called International Trade Court just ruled that Trump doesn't have the authority to impose tariffs. I have no choice but to make this thread literally pointing out that not only does he have the authority, but it's VERY BROAD.

Those dumb judges should read this.

The Trade Act of 1974 couldn't be clearer. It allows the President to impose tariffs if a foreign country doesn't play fair.

19 U.S.C. § 2411(a)(1): "If the United States Trade Representative determines that—
(A) an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts United States commerce, and
(B) action by the United States is appropriate, the Trade Representative shall take all appropriate and feasible action authorized under subsection (c) to obtain the elimination of that act, policy, or practice."

19 U.S.C. § 2411(c)(1): "For purposes of carrying out the provisions of subsection (a) or (b), the Trade Representative is authorized to—
(A) suspend, withdraw, or prevent the application of, benefits of trade agreement concessions to carry out a trade agreement with the foreign country subjected to the action under this section, and
(B) impose duties or other import restrictions on the goods of, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, fees or restrictions on the services of, such foreign country for such time as the Trade Representative determines appropriate."

The Trade Expansion Act of 1962 empowers the President to impose tariffs if he deems it necessary to maintain national security.

U.S.C. § 1862(c)(1)(A): "Within 90 days after receiving a report submitted in which the Secretary of Commerce finds that an article is being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security, the President shall— determine whether the President concurs with the finding of the Secretary, and if the President concurs, determine the nature and duration of the action that, in the judgment of the President, must be taken to adjust the imports of the article and its derivatives so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security."

19 U.S.C. § 1862(c)(3)(A): "If the action taken by the President is the negotiation of an agreement, and if such agreement is not entered into within 180 days after the date on which such action is taken, or if such agreement is not being carried out or is ineffective in eliminating the threat to the national security posed by imports of such article, the President shall take such other actions as the President deems necessary to adjust the imports of such article so as not to threaten to impair the national security. Such actions may include the imposition of tariffs, quotas, or other measures."

The big one is the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives him more tariff authority for purposes of economic security.

50 U.S.C. § 1701(a): "Any authority granted to the President by section 1702 of this title may be exercised to deal with any unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States, if the President declares a national emergency with respect to such threat."

50 U.S.C. § 1702(a)(1):
"At the times and to the extent specified in section 1701 of this title, the President may, under such regulations as he may prescribe, by means of instructions, licenses, or otherwise—
(A) investigate, regulate, or prohibit—
(i) any transactions in foreign exchange,
(ii) transfers of credit or payments between, by, through, or to any banking institution, to the extent that such transfers or payments involve any interest of any foreign country or a national thereof,
(iii) the importing or exporting of currency or securities,
by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
(B) investigate, block during the pendency of an investigation, regulate, direct and compel, nullify, void, prevent or prohibit, any acquisition, holding, withholding, use, transfer, withdrawal, transportation, importation or exportation of, or dealing in, or exercising any right, power, or privilege with respect to, or transactions involving, any property in which any foreign country or a national thereof has any interest by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States."

Here's another one: Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917

50 U.S.C. § 4305(b)(1): "During the time of war, the President may, through any agency that he may designate, and under such orders, rules, and regulations as he may prescribe—
(A) investigate, regulate, or prohibit, any transactions in foreign exchange, transfers of credit or payments between, by, through, or to any banking institution, and the importing, exporting, hoarding, melting, or earmarking of gold or silver coin or bullion, currency, or securities, and
(B) investigate, regulate, direct and compel, nullify, void, prevent or prohibit, any acquisition, holding, withholding, use, transfer, withdrawal, transportation, importation or exportation of, or dealing in, or exercising any right, power, or privilege with respect to, or transactions involving, any property in which any foreign country or a national thereof has any interest, by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States."

ANOTHER ONE: Tariff Act of 1930

19 U.S.C. § 1351(a)(1): "For the purpose of expanding foreign markets for the products of the United States (as a means of assisting in establishing and maintaining a better relationship among various branches of American agriculture, industry, mining, and commerce) by regulating the admission of foreign goods into the United States in accordance with the characteristics and needs of various branches of American production so that foreign markets will be made available to those branches of American production which require and are capable of developing such outlets by affording corresponding market opportunities for foreign products in the United States, the President, whenever he finds as a fact that any existing duties or other import restrictions of the United States or any foreign country are unduly burdening and restricting the foreign trade of the United States and that the purpose above declared will be promoted—
(A) may enter into trade agreements with foreign governments or instrumentalities thereof; and
(B) may proclaim such modification of existing duties and other import restrictions, or such additional import restrictions, or such continuance, and for such minimum periods, of existing customs or excise treatment of any article covered by foreign trade agreements, as are required or appropriate to carry out any foreign trade agreement that the President has entered into hereunder."

SO... What on God's green earth are these CROOKED judges confused about?

No serious country has clown courts like this. SHUT THEM DOWN.