Which entity had no power to regulate interstate trade under the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation established a governmental framework that created a weak central authority primarily because the Founding Fathers were wary of a strong central government after their experience with British rule. Under this system, Congress lacked the power to regulate interstate trade, which meant it could not impose tariffs or set uniform commercial regulations among the states. This limitation was one of the key weaknesses of the Articles, leading to economic disunity and conflicts between states over trade and commerce.

In contrast, the President and the Supreme Court, neither of which had significant power under the Articles, did not play a role in regulating interstate trade either. However, the ensuring chaos in trade regulation fell directly under the failures of Congress, which was responsible for mediating issues between states. The states themselves had the authority to conduct their own trade policies, which often led to conflicts and contributed to a fragmented economy. The inability of Congress to effectively manage interstate commerce ultimately highlighted the need for a stronger federal system, which was addressed in the later drafting of the U.S. Constitution.