The Supreme Court has made the extraordinary move of ruling against President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
In a 6-3 decision, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court said Trump did not have the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose tariffs.
Trump had used the law as a legal footing for his widespread tariff policy, which he boasted would enrich the nation.
On April 2, he celebrated ‘Liberation Day,’ announcing reciprocal tariffs on nations around the globe – even on uninhabited islands.
The President used the justification that there was a national emergency due to trade deficits and national security threats.
As he entered office last year he imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China over fentanyl flooding into the U.S.
But Roberts, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, wrote in the ruling that if Congress had intended to allow the President the ‘distinct and extraordinary power to impose tariffs, it would have done so expressly – as it consistently has in other tariff statutes.’
The Chief Justice said that the ‘president must “point to clear congressional authorization” to justify his extraordinary assertion of the power to impose tariffs.’
‘He cannot,’ Roberts said.
As risk, according to the Penn-Wharton Budget Model, is about $175 billion in tariff revenue.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
