The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) grants presidents the authority to use various economic tools (although not specifically tariffs) to counter threats to the United States. It is the statute on which Donald Trump has relied as a justification to impose import duties on much of the world. However, since the “emergencies” he has conjured up so far do not constitute “unusual and extraordinary threats” to the US, a federal appeals court has declared the tariffs to be illegal.

But all of that changed this weekend when Canada – specifically the government of the province of Ontario – attacked the nation’s highest good: The president’s fragile ego.

As we reported, those filthy Canucks had dared to use Ronald Reagan’s own words to point out that the former president, who used to be popular among Republicans, generally opposed tariffs because, ultimately, they hurt the American people.

Well, not on Donald Trump’s watch!

Calling this totally accurate video a “fraudulent advertisement,” the president reacted to this “emergency” by using his (questionable) authority under IEEPA to impose additional tariffs on all goods from Canada.

In a social media post, he falsely claimed that Reagan “LOVED” tariffs, and took offense to the ad running during the World Series.

“Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD,” Trump wrote. “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10 percent over and above what they are paying now.”

Of course, Canada isn’t paying anything; US companies and consumers will.

In other words, by pretending that it constitutes a “national emergency” when a factually correct one-minute video uses the actual words of a once-revered GOP president to point out that the party’s current favorite is lying to them on tariffs, Trump ensured that Americans will now pay more for Canadian goods.

But the real cost to the nation is much greater than a 10-percent surcharge on lumber.

This is perhaps the most egregious example of Trump seizing a power that is not his to use.

There is no possible way to pretend that the broadcast of a commercial is an emergency.

And yet, Republicans in Congress, who could take back an authority that the president usurped, will let him get away with it, and, we fear, so will the Supreme Court, which is considering that appeals court ruling.

In the process, everybody loses, including all of the people following Trump.

But at least they will do so cheering on their hero.