As he arrived at the Group of 7, Trump Asserts He Can Force U.S. Companies to Leave China

[spanone]

BIARRITZ, France — President Trump asserted on Saturday that he has the authority to make good on his threat to force all American businesses to leave China, citing a national security law that has been used mainly to target terrorists, drug traffickers and outlier states like Iran, Syria and Libya.

As he arrived in France for the annual meeting of the Group of 7 powers, Mr. Trump posted a message on Twitter citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, a law originally passed as part of a congressional effort to define and restrain presidential assertions of power not to enable a president to cut off economic ties with a trading partner because of a disagreement over tariffs.

“For all of the Fake News Reporters that don’t have a clue as to what the law is relative to Presidential powers, China, etc., try looking at the Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977,” Mr. Trump wrote. “Case closed!”

Mr. Trump called on Friday for American companies to cut ties with Beijing after the Chinese government said it would raise tariffs on American goods in retaliation for new levies on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/24/world/europe/trump-g7-summit.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Here we go...

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Not to give Trump any ideas, but it seems to me

that the only way to force corporations not to do business with a country is to literally declare (military) war on that country.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. I wish those armed soldiers

were escorting him from the White House for the last time.

[2naSalit]

10. +1

[struggle4progress]

4. "Up next! Trump orders France to make English their official language! Stay tuned!"

[Stuart G]

5. Trump can give orders, but those orders will end up in court, Trump will lose. Not only will

Trump lose, but he will lose very very big. And all companies know it. Disagreement over tariffs is what this is all about. He is trying to force China into a "deal" on tariffs. I don't think this will work. Do you? Does the Chinese leadership want to be forced into a "deal" with this person? Trump will lose the upcoming election, and then the Chinese can make a deal with the next president.

[Vogon_Glory]

6. Remember When The Rethuglies Used To Boast About Their Economic Expertise?

When campaign season kicks into gear, we ought to bash them all over their heads over and over again with “Donald Trump” and “Dubya Bush.” Four years of Trump, eight years of Dubya and Congress held hostage by the Republican Party shows that the sham of Republican economic competence is DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!!!!

[Backseat Driver]

7. Well, SCOTUS, has already said that

corporations were people that he could "order" be evacuated away from danger, so there's that. Whatever happened to the prohibition of government "interfering with business.

A general Traveler's Warning is already in place as of January 15, 2019 - do the words people, persons, travelers include the "corporate" body in a like context...Hey, gonna say it once - comply Corps - cancel those contracts, remove that signage at the front door, stop shipping that product, or you're on your own." No Blackhawk chopper evacs to the nearest aircraft carrier for you and/or yours!

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/worldwide-caution.html

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

8. Bring it

Try federalizing the American auto industry and see how far that gets you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Harry Truman learned that lesson the hard way,

even though there was a for-real national emergency. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/343/579.html

[Cracklin Charlie]

9. Will MAGA merchandise be excluded?

Caps, straws, cups, and shirts...all made in China.

Ask him, some reporter!

[handmade34]

12. when does the madness end??

[spanone]

14. It is pure, unadulterated insanity. 24/7...and republicans are just fine with it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. So he's saying that selling stuff to the USA is as much of a threat as a rogue state

that supports terrorism, kills and oppresses its own people etc., and thus a country that must not be traded with. We could see him as an anti-capitalist. Perhaps even an anti-materialist, but at least a 300 year-old mercantilist that's willing to use force to stop Americans buying goods from abroad.

Hmm: ""For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grievances_of_the_United_States_Declaration_of_Independence#Grievance_16

[AJT]

15. What happens if the, currently, US companies move their

headquarters to another country, could they stop being US companies?

[Zambero]

16. Gasp! Socialism

Using the (unauthorized) power of the federal government to dictate the means of production. He's even managed to outdo Bernie!

[smirkymonkey]

17. From This Day On...

"From this day on, the official language of [the United States] will be Swedish. Silence! In addition to that, all citizens will be required to change their underwear every half-hour. Underwear will be worn on the outside so we can check. Furthermore, all children under 16 years old are now... 16 years old!"



He is absolutely bat-shit. Get the hook!

[Frustratedlady]

18. Is he going to make Ivanka bring her companies back to the U.S.?

Didn't she meet with XI or some rep on labels or patents or some such for her products? That was early on in her dad's administration. I remember there was an uproar about it.