Here's something worth unpacking: a U.S. president has the power—with full congressional backing—to completely halt trade with another country. We're talking a total shutdown, way harsher than slapping on tariffs.

Yet somehow tariffs get all the controversy? Think about it. One tool cuts off commerce entirely. The other just adjusts prices at the border. Both hit markets, both shake up supply chains, both send ripples through forex and commodity prices.

For anyone trading assets tied to international flows—whether traditional markets or digital assets—this distinction matters. When policy debates heat up around trade restrictions, understanding what's actually on the table helps cut through the noise.

The authority exists. The question is always about how it gets used and what dominoes start falling when these levers get pulled.