Is a tariff the same as a tax under the Constitution?

Tariffs are getting their day in court.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases about the legality of President Donald Trump’s favorite policy tool.

Shortly after he took office, Trump started signing executive orders imposing tariffs on America’s trading partners. He declared April 2 “Liberation Day,” and enacted a broad package of import duties from Canada to China and way beyond, upending U.S. economic policy and reshaping global trade.

He did it all without input from Congress. And that might, or might not, have violated presidential power under the Constitution.

So, are the Trump administration’s tariffs legal?

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