Trump Tariffs Struck Down: Supreme Court Ruling Called a “Disgrace”

Donald Trump reacted with anger to a Supreme Court ruling Friday that struck down his administration’s attempt to impose sweeping global tariffs, calling the decision a “disgrace.” The rebuke from the high court effectively dismantled a key element of his economic agenda.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, found that the former president had exceeded his authority when imposing the tariffs, relying on a 1977 law – the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) – intended for national emergencies. According to CNN, Trump voiced his displeasure during a breakfast meeting with governors at the White House, with the comment relayed by Kaitlan Collins of CNN on X.

“President Trump commented on the Supreme Court ruling striking down his tariffs whereas inside the White House breakfast with governors this morning, calling it a ‘disgrace,’ I’m told,” Collins posted.

A person familiar with Trump’s reaction also told NBC News that he informed those present at the meeting that he had a “backup plan,” though details of that plan were not immediately available.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, stated that the Trump administration had failed to demonstrate any statutory basis for applying IEEPA to tariffs. “The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope… We hold that IEEPA does not authorise the president to impose tariffs,” Roberts wrote.

The 6-3 decision saw an unusual alignment of justices. The three liberal justices – Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor – were joined by three conservative justices – Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Roberts. Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas dissented.

The ruling specifically addresses the broad tariffs Trump attempted to implement, but does not affect the sector-specific tariffs already in place on steel, aluminum, and other products. The Biden administration continues to pursue formal investigations that could lead to additional, targeted tariffs, according to reports.

The decision represents a significant legal challenge to presidential authority in the realm of trade and economic policy, and underscores the limits of executive power when it comes to imposing tariffs without explicit congressional authorization.