Bessent: 'Avoiding An Emergency' Justifies Trump Greenland Tariffs On Allies
The Abbott and Constello famous routine:
Costello: That's what I'm askin' you! Who's on first?
Abbott: Now wait a minute. Don't…don't change the players
Costello: I'm not changin' nobody! I asked you a simple question. What's the guys' name on first base?
Abbott: What's the guy's name on second base
Costello: I'm not askin' you who's on second!
Abbott: Who's on first
Costello: I don't know
Abbott: He's on third.
Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent imitated an Abbott and Costello routine on Meet The Press when he was asked what the national emergency was for Trump to impose new tariffs against nations opposed to his attempt to take-over Greenland.
Trump has claimed emergency and national security powers on trade deficits to justify his yo-yo tariffs. Yet, he imposed a new round of tariffs against US allies because they refuse to play along with his takeover of Greenland.
This is thuggery, pure and simple.
WELKER: Broadly speaking about the tariff portion of this the president as you well know has justified his authority to impose previous tariffs without going to Congress by declaring national emergencies. It's an issue before the Supreme Court right now.