Federal judges across multiple courts ruled that President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose unilateral tariffs was illegal and exceeded presidential authority. On May 29, 2025, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras granted a preliminary …
Donald TrumpRudolph ContrerasU.S. Court of International TradeSupreme Courtjudicial-pushbackemergency-powersexecutive-overreachtrade-policyconstitutional-crisis+1 more
President Trump declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to impose sweeping ‘reciprocal tariffs,’ marking the first time in IEEPA’s 48-year history that a president used the emergency statute—designed for genuine national …
Donald TrumpSupreme Courtemergency-powersexecutive-overreachtrade-policyconstitutional-crisisinstitutional-capture
President Trump signs Executive Orders 14231 and 14232 amending earlier tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, citing illicit drug flows across northern and southern borders as justification. The orders expand February 1 tariff regime, using border security and drug enforcement rhetoric to justify …
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationexecutive-overreachtrade-policyborder-security-pretexteconomic-manipulation
President Trump issues executive order doubling tariffs on Chinese imports from 10 to 20 percent, citing synthetic opioid supply chain concerns. The tariff increase follows pattern of using national security and public health rhetoric to justify protectionist economic measures that benefit specific …
Donald TrumpTrump Administrationexecutive-overreachtrade-policyeconomic-manipulationnational-security-pretext
President Bill Clinton signs the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000, granting China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status and ending the annual congressional review process that had existed since 1980 under Jackson-Vanik provisions. The House passed the legislation on May 24, 2000 and the …
Bill ClintonU.S. SenateU.S. House of RepresentativesChinese governmentCorporate Lobbies+1 morechinatrade-policywtopntrglobalization+3 more
President Bill Clinton signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law, creating the first major free trade agreement to include Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions binding developed nations. NAFTA’s Chapter 11 establishes corporate tribunals that allow …
Bill ClintonAl GoreRobert RubinNAFTA Corporate LobbiesMexican Government+1 morenaftafree-tradecorporate-tribunalsisdsinvestor-state-disputes+3 more
U.S. businesses and the Mexican government launch a $25 million coordinated lobbying and public relations campaign to secure Congressional approval of NAFTA, overcoming fierce opposition from labor unions and environmental groups. The Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and National …
Business RoundtableU.S. Chamber of CommerceNational Association of ManufacturersAmerican ExpressMexican Government+2 morenaftacorporate-lobbyingtrade-policylabor-oppositionbusiness-roundtable+2 more
The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program) begins on April 3, 1948, as the United States initiates a $13.3 billion economic recovery program for Western Europe ($137 billion in 2024 dollars). Announced by Secretary of State George Marshall in June 1947 and signed into law by …
George MarshallHarry S. TrumanU.S. CongressEuropean Recovery Programcold-warforeign-aidcorporate-welfaremilitary-industrial-complextrade-policy
President Herbert Hoover signs the Tariff Act of 1930, commonly known as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act after its congressional sponsors Senator Reed Smoot (R-UT) and Representative Willis C. Hawley (R-OR), raising U.S. tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods to record levels. Hoover had campaigned in …
Herbert HooverReed SmootWillis C. HawleyU.S. Congressmanufacturing lobbyistscorporate-resistancetrade-policygreat-depressionlobbyingprotectionism
Secretary of State John Hay issues a diplomatic circular to Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Russia articulating the “Open Door” policy for China, advocating three principles: (1) no power would interfere with trading rights of other nations within its sphere of …
John HayWilliam Woodville RockhillWilliam McKinleyAmerican Asiatic AssociationEuropean imperial powers+1 moregilded-ageimperialismcorporate-powertrade-policychina+1 more