Trump’s Sweeping Global Tariffs Struck Down By US Supreme Court

The US Supreme Court has struck down tariffs issued on countries worldwide last year by President Donald Trump.

The court said Trump did not have the authority to enact the tariffs, which he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies.

Trump’s tariff threats and impositions have been central to a global trade war that he initiated early in his second term as president, which has strained ties with trading partners and affected global markets.

Lower federal courts had previously issued decisions against the Trump administration on this issue.

Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs have been struck down by the US Supreme Court, in a major blow to the president’s economic agenda, that he calls a “disgrace”

With a 6-3 majority, the Supreme Court rules Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs via a law reserved for national emergencies – they say he needs congressional approval to impose taxes on imports

The court’s decision represents a rare check on this president’s broad use of executive authority

The ruling applies to his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, but not individual tariffs he’s imposed on specific countries or products

Trump has long argued tariffs boost American manufacturing – but many in the business community, as well as Trump’s political adversaries, said the costs are passed onto consumers

Wall Street responds quickly and positively to the court’s ruling in early trading

The tariffs are taxes on imported goods, which are usually charged as a percentage of a good’s value. They’re paid to the government by companies bringing in the foreign products.

At the time of filing this report Trump has not directly spoken about it and the White House officials were yet to speak on it. Trump has repeatedly said he views tariffs are hugely important to the US economy, and they very much form a key part of his wider agenda.

When he unveiled these tariffs last April Trump said “our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years”.

He has taken the view that, because the US buys more goods from abroad than it sells, Americans’ money is effectively leaving the country for no good reason.

The reality of a highly integrated 21st global economy is of course far more complicated.

That was demonstrated by the trade deficit reaching a new record high of $1.2tn last year despite the tariffs.

On top of that, he wanted to bring back US manufacturing jobs but official figures show the number of Americans in that type of work has actually fallen slightly since he took office.

Trump has also wanted US companies to get better access to sell their goods abroad.