US President Donald Trump erupted in anger after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping tariff regime, railing that he “can’t charge $1” under the law while accusing the justices of siding with foreign interests and undermining the country’s economic strength.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing,” Trump said at a press conference following the 6-3 decision. “I am ashamed of certain Members of the Court for not having the courage to do what is right for our Country.”
Trump singled out the three dissenting justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh — thanking them for what he called their “Strength, Wisdom, and Love of our Country.” He said the majority opinion ignored the broader economic and national security stakes.
Foreign governments, he claimed, were celebrating the decision. “Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic, and dancing in the streets — but they won’t be dancing for long,” Trump said.
He went further, alleging without evidence that the court had been “swayed by Foreign Interests, and a Political Movement that is far smaller than people would think.”
‘MORE POWERFUL AND CRYSTAL CLEAR’
The ruling invalidated Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), with Chief Justice John Roberts writing that the statute does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.
Trump argued the decision actually strengthens his broader authority.
“In actuality, the Supreme Court’s decision today made a President’s ability to both regulate trade and impose tariffs more powerful and crystal clear, rather than less,” he said.
He insisted that while the court rejected one use of IEEPA, it affirmed his authority under other trade statutes. Quoting Justice Kavanaugh’s dissent, Trump noted that several federal laws — including Sections 232 and 301 — remain available to impose tariffs.
“To show you how ridiculous the opinion is, the Court said that I’m not allowed to charge even $1,” Trump said. “But I am allowed to cut off any and all trade or impose an embargo. How nonsensical is that?”
Trump announced that all existing national security tariffs under Section 232 and Section 301 will remain in force.
“Today I will sign an Order to impose a 10% GLOBAL TARIFF, under Section 122, over and above our normal tariffs already being charged,” he said, adding that new investigations would begin to address what he called unfair trade practices.
Declaring the United States the “hottest anywhere in the world,” Trump closed by vowing that the administration would take a “different direction” that is “even stronger than our original choice.”
With the latest salvo, Trump signalled that despite the court’s rebuke, his tariff-driven trade agenda is far from over.
