Todd Tucker

Thanks to @inthesetimes.com for running the piece @toddntucker.com and I wrote for @rooseveltinstitute.org
on why progressives must prioritize Court reform!

inthesetimes.com/article/trum...

Trump’s Attacks on SCOTUS Are Personal—But Real Court Reform Should Be a Progressive Priority An analysis of Trump’s unprecedented attacks on the Supreme Court, the Roberts Court’s pro–Big Business record, and why real progressive court reform must become a political priority.

Over at the @rooseveltinstitute.org, @shahrzadshams.bsky.social and @toddntucker.com explain why court reform should be a progressive priority.

Wall Street is betting on tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling When the Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's tariffs, it left importers wondering how long they'd have to wait to get their money back. Hedge funds are offering to help out.

Markey wrote "investment banks are profiteering from the delay" in processing tariff refunds. He... warned that small businesses that cannot afford a costly legal battle could be disproportionately tempted to trade away their claims."
www.npr.org/2026/03/05/n...

USMCA Forward 2026 launch: The joint review and the future of North American trade YouTube video by Brookings Institution

I spoke @brookings.edu today on the future of USMCA trade.

I made 3 points:
1. The recent SCOTUS decision doesn't change much on this front.
2. The auto industry needs a lot from trade policy now - policymakers should be demanding more in return.
www.youtube.com/live/70G1I4P...

This is a really good piece.

CHOTINER: You’ve been outspoken about the idea that jazz is thriving, right now.

ME: Right.

CHOTINER: But you’ve also devoted a lot of energy this year to celebrating John Coltrane and Miles Davis, who were born a century ago.

ME: Ah, Miles and Trane…

CHOTINER: You see the issue.

ME: Um. OK, so

Yes, but also - things are really crazy right now! Much more or much less than we want could be on the table.

Challenges and opportunities for the North American auto industry in the 2026 USMCA renegotiation | Brookings Susan Helper and Todd Tucker analyze challenges and opportunities for the North American auto industry under USMCA.

3. Trade is important, but domestic policy matters more. Reinstituting IRA support for electric vehicles and labor reform like Taft-Hartley repeal need to be on the table.

For more, check out my chapter on the USMCA auto industry with Susan Helper.
www.brookings.edu/articles/cha...

USMCA Forward 2026 launch: The joint review and the future of North American trade YouTube video by Brookings Institution

I spoke @brookings.edu today on the future of USMCA trade.

I made 3 points:
1. The recent SCOTUS decision doesn't change much on this front.
2. The auto industry needs a lot from trade policy now - policymakers should be demanding more in return.
www.youtube.com/live/70G1I4P...

True and totally fair point by @joshchafetz.bsky.social. We have the assignment for the follow up piece.

Totally fair, and should have gotten a longer treatment (tho our editors would have killed us for bad blog length etiquette)

and to @mjsdc.bsky.social @jamellebouie.net @mattsitman.bsky.social @elienyc.bsky.social @joshorton.bsky.social @bradlander.bsky.social @owillis.bsky.social @johnpfaff.bsky.social @samuelmoyn.bsky.social @gregpak.net @protecttruth.bsky.social @ezralevin.bsky.social @importantmeagan.bsky.social

Perhaps of note to @sbagen.bsky.social @ganeshsitaraman.bsky.social @epps.bsky.social @ryandoerfler.bsky.social @davidfaris.bsky.social @maxberger.bsky.social @joshchafetz.bsky.social @mayasen.bsky.social @fishkin.bsky.social @ksabeelrahman.bsky.social @lpeblog.bsky.social @imillhiser.bsky.social

Trump’s Attacks on SCOTUS Are Personal—But Real Court Reform Should Be a Progressive Priority An analysis of Trump’s unprecedented attacks on the Supreme Court, the Roberts Court’s pro–Big Business record, and why real progressive court reform must become a political priority.

NEW from @shahrzadshams.bsky.social & me @rooseveltinstitute.org:

Donald Trump just called the Supreme Court "fools & lap dogs" and we've already forgotten about it.

What the ancient history of last Tuesday means for progressives rethinking SCOTUS power.
rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/trumps-...

NEW: Lost in the news cycle last week, the Labor Department moved to make it easier to classify workers as “independent contractors”—a shift that could strip millions of workers of their minimum wage and overtime protections and make basic labor rights harder to enforce.

Patrick Oakford explains ⬇️

We had a very special office guest last week!

Trump Threatens to Cut Off Trade With Spain President Trump lashed out at Spain on Monday, saying that the U.S. would end trade with the European country after it said it wouldn’t allow the U.S. access to its bases as part of the Iran strikes. ...

In case we needed proof that last month's SCOTUS decision wouldn't do much to constrain Trump weaponizing trade, here we go: threatening Spain with a trade embargo over Iran strikes.

We're back where we always were at: Congress needs to step up.
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...

What’s happening with the USMCA?

Our @toddntucker.com will join @brookings.edu on Wednesday to discuss how the landmark North American trade deal has held up amid tariffs and the continued battles over executive trade authority.

Details below on attending in D.C. or joining virtually ⬇️

USMCA Forward 2026 launch | Brookings The USMCA initiative will launch its flagship report, “USMCA Forward 2026,” which examines what is at stake in the joint review and outlines key priorities to ensure a more resilient and competitive N...

This Wednesday in DC! Come join @brookings.edu and me for two excellent panels on what to expect from this year's USMCA 2.0 negotiations.
www.brookings.edu/events/usmca...

Joking aside, we need more Supreme Court justices with a background in Congress instead of former White House counsel.

Thanks for your feedback!

Fixing the Senate: Equitable and Full Representation for the 21st Century - Roosevelt Institute The US Senate’s inherent inequities are real, and they are greatly impacting our nation’s ability to have an inclusive economy and democracy.

Yeah, not defending or even lauding the specifics. More to note that even in 2026, countries are changing the composition of their upper houses - something often seen as impossible in the US context. (Which TBF it likely is, with some exceptions👇.)
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...

Do America’s carmakers have a plan for survival? Profits are set to recover this year, but a focus on large, high-margin vehicles could create a gap for Chinese rivals to exploit

US auto industry state:
⚡Tariffs and other upheaval only knocked a bit off profits. 6.1% in 25 to return to 8-10% this year.
⚡Big Three still not making enough standard, affordable cars. Focus on wealthy consumers.
⚡Chinese entrance into market could be "bloodbath"
www.ft.com/content/b081...

Claudia Sheinbaum pushes Mexican election overhaul Opponents say plan to cut campaign costs will consolidate ruling party’s control

Upper house reform is possible!

Sheinbaum proposes shrinking Mexico's Senate from 128 to 96 members.

Cc @maxberger.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/ea9b...

The Biden Admin directed hundreds of billions to clean energy/manufacturing.

Did these investments shift public opinion?

We find that these projects are visible but not traceable: People notice nearby investments, but connect them to Governors, not Biden.

Thread 👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on Supreme Court IEEPA Decision WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court’s decision today affects one element of the Administration’s successful work to reorient the global trading system to benefit American workers and businesses. President ...

ICYMI - Greer says new Section 301 investigations will "cover most major trading partners" & will address "industrial excess capacity, forced labor, pharmaceutical pricing practices, discrimination against US tech companies" & more.
ustr.gov/about/policy...

19 U.S. Code § 2134 - Two-year residual authority to negotiate duties

A subsidiary part of the argument is that trade imbalances are better addressed through other parts of the Trade Act - including Trade Promotion Authority / Fast Track.

I don't think that's exactly right, but it may not matter for their main argument.
www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...

Opinion | Again, Trump Completely Misreads the Law

In @nytimes.com, @levmenand.bsky.social and @jmichaels.bsky.social argue that Trump's latest tariffs under Section 122 (of the Trade Act of 1974) are also illegal.

The thrust is that they read that statute as requiring financial - not trade - imbalances.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/o...

Possibly of interest to @jaywillis.net @samuelmarclowe.bsky.social @stevevladeck.bsky.social @mcopelov.bsky.social @akalhan.bsky.social

Ironically, we now may be in a place where Dems have less leverage.

⚡Without IEEPA tariffs, no disapproval by simple majority w/o GOP leaders' coop
⚡Sec 122 tariffs could mean GOP now preserves tariffs by simple majority, in budgetary process their leadership controls.

bsky.app/profile/burg...