US Supreme Court strikes down Trump's global tariffs; says he exceeded his authority

The US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down President Trump’s sweeping tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law intended for national emergencies. The court found that Trump’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs infringed upon Congress’s constitutional authority over trade and taxation, violating the “major questions” doctrine which requires clear congressional authorization for actions of vast economic and political significance.

Trump had utilized tariffs as a central tool in his economic and foreign policy, initiating a global trade war and leveraging them to extract concessions from trading partners. Businesses and twelve US states challenged his use of IEEPA, arguing his unilateral imposition of tariffs was unlawful. While the administration argued IEEPA granted the president broad authority to “regulate” imports during emergencies, the court disagreed.

The ruling potentially requires the refunding of over $175 billion in tariffs collected under IEEPA. The administration has indicated it will explore alternative legal justifications for maintaining tariffs, such as national security concerns or unfair trade practices, but these options may not offer the same scope and flexibility as IEEPA. The decision underscores the ongoing tension between presidential authority and congressional power over economic policy.

(Source：Malayala Manorama)