Hi John,

President Trump has made tariffs a cornerstone of his economic policy, claiming that they will bring billions of dollars in revenue to the United States. Critics say these tariffs will increase prices and hurt consumers. 

To understand the actual impact of tariffs, we broke down what tariffs actually are, and why they matter.

What Are Tariffs? 

Simply put, tariffs (sometimes called "duties") are taxes on goods that are imported into the United States from other countries. Essentially, the U.S. government charges businesses a fee to bring that product into the country. 

The U.S. Constitution explicitly states that Congress has the power to impose tariffs, as part of its power to raise taxes, allocate funds and control government spending. 

How Do Tariffs Impact You? 

Because tariffs increase fees on businesses, they frequently will pass that cost onto you, the consumer, in the form of higher prices. 

Right now, one person, the President, can impose these taxes without approval from Congress or input from the public. That undermines our system of checks and balances and concentrates power in the hands of one office. 

Tariffs should be decided by the people's representatives, not handed down like royal decrees. Tell Congress to reassert its constitutional role and restore democratic oversight to tariff decisions.