<a href="https://reason.com/volokh/2025/08/15/my-new-bulwark-article-on-trumps-unconstitutional-export-tax/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
In a move that’s raising eyebrows, the Trump administration has imposed a 15 percent payment requirement on chip sales to China for tech giants Nvidia and AMD. Yes, you heard that right. The government is calling this a “deal,” while critics are out in full force crying “unconstitutional!” This tax—er, “deal”—is bringing back memories of a certain king with a fondness for taxing the populace. Is history bound to repeat itself, or is this just yesterday’s news in a new package?
Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution clearly lays down the law: no taxes on exports. Yet here we are, with the administration trying to squeeze revenue from two of the biggest names in tech. The payments don’t resemble user fees either, since they aren’t linked to any government service. If it quacks like a tax and waddles like a tax, should we really be calling it something else? You know, like “creative accounting.”
Nvidia and AMD, ever the savvy players, are accepting this “deal” rather than risk being completely banned from exporting to the Chinese market. Talk about a tough choice! No one wants to play chicken with the government, especially when the stakes include billions in sales. The irony is rich, and we can’t help but wonder—are we witnessing modern-day taxation without representation?
If history has taught us anything, it’s to keep a close eye on how taxes are levied. What do you think—are we just hopping on the rollercoaster ride of executive overreach? Let’s discuss how we can ensure our rights aren’t left behind on this ride!
About the Author
To get daily local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning, sign up for newsletter!
