The annual State of the Union address of the President of the United States is usually an authoritative expression of his approaches on domestic and international issues. It is therefore examined closely by all concerned to ascertain how US policies will impact the world and their own interests. This is so now too despite President Trump’s mercurial ways.

This year Trump delivered the State of the Union address to both chambers of the US Congress on February 24. It bore all the marks of his personality: it was full of bluster, bitterness and self-praise. Hence, it did not carefully adhere to facts.

Trump’s policy on tariffs has affected all countries. On February 20, the US Supreme Court ruled by a majority of 6-3 that under the legislation (International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) which Trump had relied on to impose tariffs a President was not empowered to do so. It therefore held that the tariffs that Trump had imposed were wrongfully done. Trump railed against the verdict but was compelled to follow it. Thereafter went ahead to impose a global 10% and which he raised to 15% under another law—section 122 of the Trade Act of 1977. Tariffs are such an important pillar of Trump’s diplomacy and his projection of looking after the interests of the US that he had to find a pathway to protect them.

The importance of........

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