Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul has once again expressed his opposition to President Donald Trump, this time regarding the president’s extensive application of tariffs on foreign imports aimed at compelling nations to enter into trade agreements that are more equitable for the United States.
In a statement on X, the senator contended that the Constitution empowers Congress to levy new taxes. He asserted that since Trump’s tariffs effectively act as taxes, they necessitate the consent of both the House and Senate.
However, the Trump administration and a significant number of Republicans view tariffs as instruments of foreign policy, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.
He stated, ‘The Constitution explicitly indicates that Congress, not the president, holds the power of the purse. All new taxes, which tariffs are classified as, must originate in the House of Representatives before being sent to the Senate for ratification.’
