Source : THE AGE NEWS
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
February 27, 2026 — 5:15pm
Those of us who have lengthy admired America as a kindred spirit and supporter of the happiest flower of global success ever seen is just bear with horror as it heads toward a full-fledged constitutional issue.
The looming nationwide horror is worsened by the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Donald Trump’s tariffs, or rather his response to them.
Well, the jury has retreated from the verge after pushing “unitary professional theory” beyond its bounds of validity and rubber-stamping the injustices of a corrupt and random presidency.
The court has finally begun to restore the system of checks and balances that has supported the great republic for 250 years by downplaying Trump’s illegal use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( IEEPA ) to impose sweeping taxes without a vote of Congress.
However, Trump’s refusal to accept the ruling results in a pleasant return to political spirit. His actions raise this smoldering constitutional battle to a dangerous level.
The IEEPA laws and the technical aspect of tariffs are covered in the case. It addresses the far more important question: Will the United States remain a nation or will it be permitted to corrupt even further into the kind of “elective tyranny” that George Mason and Thomas Jefferson feared.
In his IEEPA decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that” the Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.”
The founders gave Congress “unique access to the pockets of the people,” acknowledging the distinct importance of the taxing power and having just fought a trend that was largely motivated by “taxation without representation.”
They “do not give the senior unit any of the authority to levy taxes.” The president has no natural authority to impose tariffs during wartime, he wrote.” The power of taxation rests entirely with Congress.”
The Supreme Court’s power has been affirmed in this case since the Dred Scott case in 1857, which occurred on the day of the American Civil War, with a thundering viewpoint.
Trump’s taxes are an attempt to steal control over the government and establish a private sector. It is what Charles I did in 1634 with the governmental aristocracy of send money, a violation of the Magna Carta, and the mobilizing cause of the English Revolution.
It is what George III did with the Stamp, Sugar, Townshend, and Tea Acts, which subverted the imperial parliament and set in motion the American Revolution, under dubious guidance. Trump is using nitroglycerine.
I was ecstatic for a short while after reading the decision. The rate of inflation was quick. Trump launched a torrent of abuse against the magistrates, calling them “loafers and sycophants,” puppets of “international interests,” and then vehemently pledged to go even further into the hands of the electorate.
Naturally, it is vexing that, assuming the new 15 % global price will be implemented quickly, Britain and nearby US allies will end up facing higher tariffs while China gains a relative advantage.
The leader has completely slipped under his own legal leash, accepts no restrictions of any kind, and may strip US democracy of its essence unless it is overturned by greater political force, ignoring the various minor fact that he is using carrier strike groups to fight the world with increasing hubris and as though they are his own private toys.
Everything in rule changes when switching to another type of tariffs to change the IEEPA ruling. Unless otherwise authorized by Congress, the new Area 122 taxes are more time-limited and only last 150 days. However, Trump did undoubtedly stifle such constitutional cues.
He has already started a harassment campaign against rebel Republicans who want to retake control of Congress ‘ given industry powers, and he has already demonstrated in various areas that he will setup the date by restarting the clock every 150 days.
One of the strangest papers I have ever seen is the White House statement announcing the fresh taxes. It states boldly that the US has a structural trade deficit of$ US1.2 trillion as well as that the “annual balance on primary income” has turned negative for the first time since 1964.
According to the report, the US’s net foreign investment position has decreased to minus 90 percent of GDP, leaving America in shock for a net US$ 27.6 trillion.
Drawing attention to this is similar to “screaming” flames! “in a congested theater. These figures are indeed alarming, especially given that Trump is undermining the legitimacy of both the money and US bill.
The imbalances are caused by a number of factors, but the most obvious is that the US is living beyond its means thanks to the rising middle-class welfare and a personal savings rate that is close to historic lows of 3.4 % of GDP, viz. the UK ( 9.5 % ) or France ( 19 % ). Trump’s unfunded tax breaks have only made things worse.
According to Fitch Ratings, the fiscal imbalance will reach 7.3 percent of GDP this year. Yet at full employment and even with tax revenues, the International Monetary Fund has etched in 8 % as far as the eye can see.
The Supreme Court must decide whether to bow to intimidation and allow Trump choose the people’s pockets using novel means, or whether it will continue to be proudly high-minded as new cases arise.
Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos was in trouble last quarter for daring to state the truth. The US has one major flaw: it rely on others to spend its bills by running huge additional deficits. Europe, he said, is America’s largest provider.
More than inactive discussion is raging in Brussels and Paris about how to tarnish an estimated US$ 12.6 trillion in assets held by European cash and investors, possibly through an “export income” on money that would increase real saving costs in the US.
An exodus of capital may occur naturally, and in my opinion will occur as Trump draws America close to a democratic civil war, but I don’t understand how such a policy may be put into effect on private markets. It would be wise to steer clear of a nation’s institutional system if it has$ US27.6 trillion under water.
Since the anger over Greenland, it is obvious that Europe’s feeling has changed. The EU halted a business agreement that Turnberry had last year shoved down its throat on Monday. Westerners are unlikely to roll over in such a sly manner a next time. In the interim, Trump’s defense might has significantly diminished.
The Supreme Court must decide whether to bow to intimidation and allow Trump choose the people’s pockets using novel means, or whether it will continue to be proudly high-minded as new cases arise. The justices have no artillery. They cannot stand up to the White House without the backing of Congress.
The Republicans on Capitol Hill today face a figure check. Are they really thus cultural, consumed with philosophy, and long gone that they will conspire to derail American democracy for the sake of this renegade presidency?
The rest of us in the free world, whether we are liberals, liberals, or socialists, you just hope that they will rise to the occasion.
Telegraph, London
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