China announced Friday they would impose steep tariffs on another $75 billion in U.S. goods in retaliation for a similar move by Donald Trump.
The tariffs came as something of a surprise to the White House, since trade representatives from both countries were set to meet next month with the administration voicing optimism that a deal would get done.
That’s not likely now.
Earlier this morning, the president let loose a tweetstorm, promising China would suffer dire consequences and, strangely, “ordering” American businesses to “start looking for an alternative to China” and “bringing your companies home.”
Trump has no authority to issue those orders.
….better off without them. The vast amounts of money made and stolen by China from the United States, year after year, for decades, will and must STOP. Our great American companies are hereby ordered to immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including bringing..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2019
….all deliveries of Fentanyl from China (or anywhere else!). Fentanyl kills 100,000 Americans a year. President Xi said this would stop – it didn’t. Our Economy, because of our gains in the last 2 1/2 years, is MUCH larger than that of China. We will keep it that way!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2019
Our unhinged president then called Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jay Powell, whom Trump appointed, an “enemy”:
….My only question is, who is our bigger enemy, Jay Powell or Chairman Xi?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2019
What statutory authority does Trump have to order American companies around like subjects of the realm? Apparently, none.
"Officials are not explaining what legal or moral authority the President has to make that order," CNBC's @EamonJavers reports from the White House after Trump tweeted an "order" for US companies to find an alternative to doing business in China. https://t.co/OdCTXe6sWC pic.twitter.com/ZQtm73psEO
— CNBC (@CNBC) August 23, 2019
Trump leaves himself wide open to attacks on his knowledge and intelligence with bombast like this. The president is not an emperor. He can’t “order” private companies to do anything. Congress might want to look at legislation that would accomplish much the same thing that Trump is “ordering,” but there isn’t a chance in hell it would ever make it to Trump’s desk, not to mention the numerous court challenges that would ensue.
The recent brouhaha about Trump claiming to be the “chosen one” raises an interesting question. Did it go to his head and make him think he really is the second coming?
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