Tyler Schipper, an associate professor of economics at the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences, has contributed commentary to OSV News on the ethical considerations surrounding American tariff strategies. Drawing from Catholic social teaching and referencing recent Supreme Court discussions, Schipper examined how economic decisions affect low-income households. n nDuring oral arguments on November 5, justices from across the political spectrum expressed doubts about the Trump administration’s interpretation of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), questioning whether it legally permits the president to impose broad tariffs on nearly all nations. Some appeared to suggest that such actions may exceed executive authority. n nSchipper, who recently participated in an interdisciplinary discussion on Pope Leo XIV’s “Dilexi Te,” highlighted a passage from the Gospel of Luke cited in the document: “he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” He noted that this could be interpreted as supporting progressive economic models—potentially conflicting with current flat tariff structures. n nAccording to Schipper, across-the-board tariffs are inherently regressive, placing a heavier burden on lower-income families who spend a larger share of their earnings on imported goods. This stands in contrast to more targeted fiscal tools that could better align with principles of economic justice. n n— news from University of St. Thomas – Minnesota
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In the News: Tyler Schipper on the Economic Impact of Tariffs – Newsroom
Tyler Schipper, associate professor of economics in the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences, shared insights with OSV News on how U.S. tariff policy intersects with Catholic social teaching. Drawing on recent Supreme Court deliberations and the Church’s emphasis on justice for the poor, Schipper reflected on the moral dimensions of economic policy and its real-world impact on struggling families. n nFrom the article: n nAs the U.S. Supreme Court considered President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policy, economists raised concerns about the potential impact of that policy on the poor. n nIn oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court Nov. 5, justices across the ideological spectrum expressed skepticism of the Trump administration’s claim that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, granted the president unilateral power to impose sweeping tariffs on nearly every country around the globe, with some seemingly suggesting he exceeded his authority in imposing them. … n nTyler Schipper, an associate professor of economics at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, told OSV News that he was recently part of an interdisciplinary panel reflecting on Pope Leo XIV’s “Dilexi Te.” n n“In the first paragraph he cites Luke (“he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty”) in a way that could be interpreted as a call for progressive taxation – and would likely be inconsistent with how tariffs are being applied today,” Schipper said. n nSchipper argued that the problem with the across-the-board tariffs – such as the ones under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny – “is that they are regressive.” …