In a recent speech addressing Congress, US President Donald Trump defended his decision to impose new tariffs, asserting that these 10% tariffs, installed following setbacks from the Supreme Court regarding his trade policies, would not necessitate congressional approval to remain in effect. According to Trump, the tariffs have been designed to be 'somewhat more complex, but likely better,' which he believes will lead to a stronger resolution in trade matters than previously seen.

Despite his assertions, the legal framework supporting these tariffs—specifically section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—indicates that such tariffs can only be imposed for a maximum of 150 days without congressional approval. This arises from the fact that Congress holds a slim republican majority, raising questions about the feasibility of Trump's plans without legislative support. The conflicting statements suggest a contentious framework for his administration's trade approach moving forward.

The implications of Trump's remarks point to a potential constitutional challenge and increased tensions between the executive and legislative branches of government. By attempting to bypass Congress in implementing these tariffs, Trump is signaling a readiness to assert greater executive power in economic decisions, which could have widespread impacts on international trade relations and domestic economic conditions. This move reflects the ongoing struggle over trade policy authority in the United States and poses challenges for future interactions with Congress over revenue-generating measures like tariffs.