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Xinhua: Over 270 U.S. Commerce Organizations Called for Restricting Presidential Tariff Power

Xinhua rapidly reported on the same day when over 270 U.S. commerce organizations, national and local, issued a joint letter to the U.S. Congress asking that new laws be established to restrict the presidential power to determine tariffs. According to Article 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the President has the power to start an investigation on imports to prevent damage to national security. President Trump ordered tariff increases based on the authorization of Article 232 and received widespread opposition both domestically and internationally. The commerce organizations were deeply concerned about the limitless potential of this tariff power, which may cause serious damage to the U.S. economy. The joint letter emphasized that the U.S. Constitution gave the Congress the right to administer imports and exports as well as tariffs. The congress should act now to ask the President to propose tariff plans for Congressional approval first, before their execution.

Source: Xinhua, June 26, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2018-06/27/c_129901925.htm