US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s sweeping tariffs ahead of China visit
Decision upends administration’s trade agenda and weakens US leader’s bargaining hand going into Beijing summit with Xi Jinping
Trump slammed the ruling as “deeply disappointing”, saying he was “ashamed of certain members of the court”.
“They also are a frankly, disgrace to our nation, those justices,” he said in a press briefing. He added that in his opinion the court “has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement”.
By invalidating tariffs imposed under the emergency presidential powers, the decision removes a powerful tool the White House had used to pressure Beijing, potentially weakening Washington’s bargaining position. It also complicates Washington’s trade negotiations worldwide, even as some countries have already signed deals with the US.
In response, the administration pivoted. Trump announced new 10 per cent global tariffs “effective immediately” under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which grants the president limited, temporary authority to impose import restrictions to deal with balance-of-payments emergencies.
Trump reiterated that China had “hundreds of billions of dollars in surpluses” with the US before the Trump administration imposed tariffs last year.