The Tangwall Campagin. What does Donald Trump’s pricing strategy tell us about the economic prerogatives of the American executive? Is it new?
Kyle Kopko. It’s not new, but Trump is wearing it to a higher level. We have never seen this type of tariff activity, at least in modern political history. It was under Franklin Roosevelt, during the Great Depression, that the president extended his powers in economic matters. It was obviously a national emergency. Roosevelt therefore took various measures without the agreement of the congress. After him, each president widened his skills a little more. This was the case with Johnson for his societal reforms. This development applies to Republicans and Democrats. I remember that when Obama was in power, the Republicans criticized him for the number of decrees he had signed!
Is it a long-term change in the balance of powers?
If the founding fathers were still alive today, they would not recognize the government as they had imagined it. The Congress even sold part of its power to the executive. He could theoretically recover this power. In the end, it was the Congress itself that declared war on our constitutional structure! Add to that partisan policy: as the two chambers are controlled by the Republicans, they are essentially only supporting Trump’s actions.
However, there were certain oppositions …
Under the administration of George W. Bush, it was a characteristic of conservative policy: free trade agreements and a free economy without commercial barriers. And Ted Cruz could well express themselves on the subject. Rand Paul too. And finally Mitch McConnell who is at a stage of his career where he does not care (aging, it does not represent itself in 2026Editor’s note). Other senators prefer closed doors. Admittedly, they are concerned about the effects of customs duties, but they want to protect the republican majority and do not want to attract the wrath of Trump.
Imagine that Trump loses the mid-term elections in 2026. Could a Democrat congress cancel all the decrees taken so far?
No, not all. To achieve this, several conditions must be met. If it is an exclusive competence of the president, such as the management of protocols or operations within an agency dependent on the executive, it will be difficult to cancel this type of decree. Trump continues to dismiss, for example, and the simple vote of a bill for this purpose by the Congress will not be enough. It would be necessary to be over a possible veto of the president with a majority of two thirds in the two chambers to cancel all this. Improbable!
“Trump has always been a leader. And that’s how CEOs work ”
After almost 100 days of power, how would you characterize Trump’s style? Is it the same Trump?
It is much more efficient. No one can challenge it. For the past four years, Trump has been able to count on his advisers and his team to plan a rapid implementation of his policy. It uses more of the unilateral power of the presidency. His style is a bit: “For better or for worse!” »» Trump has never exercised other elective functions. He has always been a leader. And that’s how CEOs work. Especially since he has evolved in the Trump Organization, a listed company, without shareholders to satisfy. Eight years ago, his cabinet included personalities from all the conservative currents who were not on the same wavelength. This is no longer the case. Mechanics seem more oiled.
