1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

Congress must rein in the president's abuse of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs that lack a direct connection to the declared national emergency. These economically disruptive and constitutionally dubious tariffs on imports from key trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China will inflict substantial costs on American businesses and consumers. Based on estimates, the tariffs could cost the typical U.S. household over $1,200 annually while suppressing economic growth. This unilateral trade policy undermines the congressional power to regulate foreign commerce. The president's orders imposing across-the-board tariffs of up to 25% on goods from these nations cite the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as legal authority. However, IEEPA does not explicitly grant tariff powers, nor do the broad tariffs bear a reasonable relationship to the stated emergency of illegal immigration and drug trafficking as required. Rather than addressing the root causes of the nation's opioid crisis through appropriate health policies, these sweeping import taxes will drive up costs for essential medical supplies and legally imported pharmaceuticals. This expansive assertion of presidential authority over trade matters warrants forceful congressional oversight and possible legislative action to reaffirm the principle of separation of powers. Failure to counter this overreach jeopardizes America's economic and constitutional foundations. Congress must defend its authority over tariffs and foreign commerce by using its legislative powers to restrain this unmoored executive encroachment into its jurisdictional domain.