[hedgetrimmer]

That includes the right to free trade

There is no right to "free trade" in the Constitution. There is, however the authority to levy tariffs.

[mr_hammer]

"There is no right to "free trade" in the Constitution. There is, however the authority to levy tariffs."

However their is a claus to protect us from invasion, which by the way is being flagrantly violated by the "Free Trade" crowd also.

[jec41]

There is no right to "free trade" in the Constitution. There is, however the authority to levy tariffs.

Yep its old as the Greeks. It was a big issue in the American Revolution and the Civil War. Too bad the Indians didn't have a Constitution with tariffs or they could have barred Columbus from America. However shortly after Spain administered tariffs for American ports owned by Spain including docking fees. You might also consider the 3/5 compromise.