Show notes
What does the Supreme Court’s latest ruling on tariffs mean for America’s small businesses—and for President Trump’s broader trade agenda?
On this episode of Main Street Matters: America’s Small Business Megaphone, host Jordan Bruneau, Vice President of the Job Creators Network, sits down with economic expert Steve Bonta, publisher of The New American, to unpack the constitutional, economic, and political debate surrounding tariffs.
They break down the recent Supreme Court decision affecting Trump’s tariff policies, exploring whether the president actually has the constitutional authority to impose tariffs—or whether that power belongs solely to Congress under Article I of the Constitution. Bonta also explains how decades-old trade laws allowed presidents to wield tariff authority and why the issue is now being challenged.
The conversation goes beyond the legal debate to examine the economic impact of tariffs on small businesses, trade policy, and global competition, especially with rivals like China. Could tariffs help rebuild American industry? Or do they create uncertainty for entrepreneurs trying to plan ahead?
Jordan and Steve also tackle a bigger question: Could the U.S. ever return to a tariff-based revenue system and eliminate the income tax? And what would that mean for the size and scope of the federal government?
In this episode:
-
The Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs explained
-
Why the Constitution gives Congress—not the president—the power to impose tariffs
-
The history of U.S. trade policy from Smoot-Hawley to modern trade acts
-
The tariff vs. free trade debate and its impact on small businesses
-
The economic and national security implications of trade with China
-
Whether tariffs could realistically replace the income tax
If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or Main Street worker, this episode offers essential insight into the policies shaping America’s economic future.
🎧 Main Street Matters is part of the Salem Podcast Network, with new episodes every Wednesday and Friday. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube, Rumble, and Job Creators Network channels.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
