Trump Announces New Tariffs Following Supreme Court Ruling
President Donald Trump has declared a 10% global tariff, adding to existing tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down certain requirements related to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Trump’s announcement was made during a quick press conference at the White House, following a 6-3 decision by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, who sided with the liberal justices against the president regarding the IEEPA tariffs.
The new 10% tariff, effective immediately, relies on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 rather than IEEPA. Justice Brett Kavanaugh highlighted in his dissent that this section also allows for the imposition of tariffs.
“Effective immediately, all national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing Section 301 tariffs…remain in full force and effect,” Trump stated.
“Today, I’m signing an order imposing 10% tariffs globally under Section 122, in addition to regular tariffs already in place. I’m also launching multiple Section 301 investigations to safeguard our country from other nations’ unfair trading practices,” he continued.
Section 122 grants the president the authority to tackle “large and severe” balance of payments deficits through import surcharges of up to 15%.
Kavanaugh also mentioned other relevant sections of the Trade Act, like 201 and 301, as well as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which could provide pathways for further tariffs.
“The Supreme Court didn’t eliminate tariffs; it simply limited certain applications of IEEPA tariffs,” Trump asserted at the press conference.
“There’s no need to be concerned; many alternatives exist,” he added. “The ruling confirms the ability of foreign countries to impose certain restrictions on trade with the U.S. under the IEEPA.”
While Trump praised Kavanaugh for his dissent, he expressed disappointment with some justices, notably those he had appointed during his first term, including Barrett and Gorsuch.
“Some members of this court have often acted out of step with reality,” he remarked, referring to what he perceives as their alignment with the “RINOs and the Radical Left Democrats.”
