Supreme Court Ruling Affects Trump’s Tariff Policies
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that “nothing has changed” regarding national security and revenue following the Supreme Court’s recent decision against the Trump administration’s global tariffs. On The Will Cain Show, Bessent stated, “What has changed is that the Supreme Court has taken away the president’s influence.” The court ruled 6-3 against Trump’s tariff policies, which had been a significant part of his administration’s economic strategy to exert control over other countries.
Interestingly, Bessent noted that this ruling could actually enhance Trump’s influence in some ways, suggesting that he might be able to reinstate tariffs shortly through specific authorities.
Bessent pointed out that, technically, the Court supported the president’s right to impose a blanket embargo, which could give him more leverage. “Within three days, the president can impose a 10% global tariff under Article 122,” he explained, adding that the Treasury Department doesn’t anticipate any revenue drop for the entirety of 2026.
Trump’s Reaction to the Ruling
President Trump reacted strongly to the Supreme Court’s judgment, calling it “deeply disappointing” and expressed shame that the justices didn’t show the courage to act in favor of the American people. Bessent shared that he believes the American public has faced a setback due to the Court’s decision, which utilized the powers of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to diminish Trump’s authority.
The conversation turned to the potential impact of tariffs on peace agreements, with Bessent suggesting that he doesn’t think those contracts will be threatened. “I think everyone will honor their contracts,” he remarked, before explaining that the president still retains the right for comprehensive embargoes. “He can just shut down a country, he can shut down an entire product line,” Bessent added.
As the discussion unfolded, Bessent pledged that the administration intended to restore tariffs. “We’re going to bring countries back to the same level of tariffs. It’s not going to be direct, it’s just going to be a little bit more complicated,” he stated.
