Supreme Court rejects Trump tariffs, stressing powers of Congress

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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump’s sweeping worldwide tariffs are illegal and cannot stand without the approval of Congress.The 6-3 decision deals Trump his most significant defeat at the Supreme Court.Last year, the justices issued temporary orders to block several of his initiatives, but Friday’s ruling is the first to hold that the president overstepped his legal authority.

Chief Justice John G.Roberts Jr., speaking for the court, said Congress, not the president, has the power to impose taxes and tariffs.

Trump slammed the decision as “deeply disappointing” and said he was “ashamed of certain members” of the court.“They are frankly a disgrace to our nation,” he told reporters.

He said he would press ahead to impose tariffs under other laws.“We have very powerful alternatives,” he said, adding that he would act on his own and would not consult Congress.

“I have the right to decide.” However, the Supreme Court majority focused on the Constitution’s separation of powers.Roberts said Trump wrongly claimed support for his go-it-alone approach under a 1977 law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which refers to an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to America’s national security but does not mention tariffs or taxes.“The President asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.

In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it,” he wrote in Learning Resources vs.Trump.

Politics Trump told reporters that his administration will impose new tariffs by using alternative legal means.“Until now no President has read the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to confer such power.We claim no special competence in matters of economi...