Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Differing Views on Why the President can not Impose Tariffs

On February 20, 2026, SCOTUS decided on a case as to whether the president has the constitutional authority to impose tariffs during peacetime. Three of the noted conservative justices in the past sided with the more liberal judges in determining whether the president has such power to impose tariffs. What the author of this piece […]

“new research on foreigners bearing the tariff burden”

Commentary by Erica York at the Tax Foundation on the pass-through impact of tariffs on pricing in the United States. The other possibility is companies may they eat it for a short period of time and maybe pass it through later in the time-table. The idea being the United States may later drop the tariff […]

Don’t make deals with terrorists

This is why nations shouldn’t pay ransom. “The president reacted to the Supreme Court’s judgment by initially announcing a new universal 10% levy, using a different legal framework for the latest tariffs, but then increased the global tariff rate to 15% — the legal maximum which can be in place for 150 days before congressional […]

The Uncertainty of the Impact of Tariffs

Angry Bear is very fortunate to have guest posts by V.P. Erica York of the Tax Foundation. The timing of this particular commentary gives Angry readers some insight as to the impact and possible outcome of President Trump’s tariffs. The Court may have some input to add to the legitimacy of tariffs. Read on . […]

Rebuking Trump on tariffs is a first baby step towards rehabilitating our international reputation

Yesterday the House (barely) rejected an effort to block members from challenging Trump’s “emergency” tariffs.  The sordid details are here.  The Senate has previously taken some steps in this direction, and with Trump’s approval ratings still declining and the possibility of a mid-term wipe out looming it seems possible that we will see Congress move […]

When “tariffs work,” they work at a cost

One story that drew attention last week was the sharp divergence between US aluminum prices and prices elsewhere in the world. The US premium passed $1 per pound for the first time ever, reflecting the higher costs US aluminum users now face relative to their foreign counterparts.   Some commentators characterized the development as a sign that tariffs are working, pointing to announcements that the US may see its first new aluminum smelting plant since 1980.  In fact, what is playing […]

Again, on tariffs and inflation

A recent piece in the Wall Street Journal . . . Erica York “Do Tariffs Cause Inflation? New Studies Offer Surprising Answer?” The article highlights two economic papers that have found tariffs usually have not led to higher inflation (or only slight pickups), likely because tariffs tend to hurt the economy and reduce demand. If you read my November newsletter, you would not be surprised by those […]

Tariffs and Tru_p

Pulled this from several weeks ago. It seems like we are still going the tariff route even though prices are going up. There is a hint of inflation or more than a hint. Short and sweet commentary. Short one and no graphs. Tariffs and Trump Crazy: It Keeps Getting Worse Dean Baker November 25, 2025 […]

Rising Prices and Costs from Tariffs are Impacting Inflation

Most of us have read about tariffs and rising prices. Coupled together a piece from The Economist and Robert Reich’s latest. “Trump’s impact on the economy and the nation? The damage from the tariffs that are in place is starting to be felt. The collapse in migration is an enormous and underappreciated shock to the economy. […]