Donald Trump lashed out after the Supreme Court ruled that his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs was unlawful and he’s already moving to double down.
In response, Trump announced he will sign an executive order imposing a 10% blanket tariff on countries worldwide under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a provision that allows temporary across-the-board tariffs for up to five months. He also said his administration will launch new Section 301 investigations and other trade probes, framing them as necessary to counter what he called unfair practices by U.S. trading partners.
Speaking to reporters, Trump insisted the Court’s decision actually strengthens his authority. He argued that the justices did not strike down tariffs altogether, but only rejected his specific reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). According to Trump, the ruling makes presidential trade powers “more crystal clear” rather than weaker.
He also maintained that previously imposed tariffs will remain fully in effect. At one point, he claimed the Court’s decision suggested he couldn’t “charge one dollar to any country,” though he said he believed the justices were trying to shield foreign nations. In the same remarks, he asserted that while the ruling limits certain tariff mechanisms, he still has the authority to cut off trade entirely or impose embargoes if he chooses — saying he could “destroy the trade” but not apply a smaller fee under the struck-down authority.
Trump further acknowledged that the administration may face years of legal battles from businesses seeking refunds for tariffs already paid. He suggested the issue of whether previously collected levies must be returned was not clearly addressed in the ruling, predicting prolonged litigation over the matter.
For now, the clash between the White House and the Supreme Court signals another escalation in the ongoing fight over presidential trade powers — with potential economic and legal consequences that could stretch on for years.
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