讀後心得

The tariffs announced by U.S. President Trump have triggered a decline in global stock markets. Senators from both major parties in the U.S. Senate have proposed that new tariffs must receive congressional approval and can be terminated by Congress at any time. Democratic Senator Kent Evans and Republican Senator Grassley introduced the "2025 Trade Review Act," which requires the president to inform Congress of the reasons for new tariffs and an impact analysis within 48 hours, and to obtain congressional approval within 60 days. The legal organization NCLA has filed a lawsuit against Trump's tariff measures, claiming they exceed his authority. The White House has yet to respond to this issue.

U.S. President Trump announced a policy of reciprocal tariffs, leading to a sharp decline in global stock markets. On the 3rd, members of both parties in the U.S. Senate jointly proposed a bill requiring that newly established tariffs must be approved by Congress and granting Congress the power to pass resolutions to terminate tariffs at any time. Additionally, a legal organization has filed what they believe is the first lawsuit attempting to block Trump from imposing tariffs on imported goods from China, accusing the U.S. President of exceeding his authority.

According to reports, Democratic Senator Kent Wille and Republican Senator Grassley jointly introduced the "2025 Trade Review Act" on the 3rd, which requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of implementing new tariffs and provide reasons for the decision as well as an analysis of the potential impacts on U.S. businesses and consumers. To keep the tariffs in effect, Congress must pass a joint resolution for approval within 60 days, otherwise, all new import tariffs will become null and void. At the same time, the bill also grants Congress the power to pass resolutions opposing tariffs at any time to terminate them.

The core idea of the bill draws from the War Powers Act passed in 1973, which aims to limit the President's ability to deploy troops into "hostilities" without Congressional approval. Wille noted in his statement: "Trade wars can similarly have devastating consequences, which is why the Founding Fathers granted Congress clear constitutional authority over war and trade. Arbitrary tariffs, especially those against allies, would harm U.S. export opportunities and raise prices for domestic consumers and businesses. As representatives of the American people, Congress has a responsibility to put an end to actions that may harm allies."

Grassley, currently the President pro tempore of the Senate, supports the bill, indicating that many Republicans have deep concerns and dissatisfaction with Trump's tariff policy. Additionally, NCLA, representing a retailer from Florida, submitted a complaint to a federal court in Florida accusing Trump of lacking legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose significant tariffs announced on February 1 and April 2, and requested the court to block the implementation of these tariffs and rescind Trump's modifications to the U.S. tariff schedule. NCLA stated: "By invoking emergency powers to impose comprehensive tariffs on imports from China, President Trump has abused that power, violated Congress's authority over tariffs, and undermined the constitutional separation of powers." The White House did not immediately respond to this.