1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and lay and collect duties. However, recent administrations have imposed tariffs unilaterally under claims of national security threats. Unchecked executive overreach on trade policy undermines the system of checks and balances. Congress should assert its authority by passing legislation allowing it to approve or retroactively remove tariffs imposed by the president. This would rein in potential abuses of executive power while still preserving the ability to take swift trade actions when warranted by legitimate national security concerns ratified by Congress. Restoring the constitutional balance on trade promotes democratic accountability and prevents capricious trade wars that harm Americans.