US President Donald Trump said he was "deeply disappointed" after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6-3 that he violated federal law by imposing sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a statute reserved for national emergencies.
Speaking at a press conference, Trump criticised the majority opinion and said he was ashamed of "certain members of the court for not having the courage to do what's right for our country." He described the Democrat-appointed judges as a "disgrace," alleging that foreign countries were celebrating the decision.
"Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They are so happy and they are dancing in the streets, but they won't be dancing for long," Trump said, adding that his administration would respond with alternative measures.
'Fools and lapdogs'
The president accused the court of being influenced by "foreign interests" and said some justices were "unpatriotic" and disloyal to the Constitution. Referring to his 2024 electoral victory, he said he had won "by millions of votes" but claimed "certain justices are afraid" to take decisions that support his agenda.
Trump praised Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh, who dissented from the ruling. He sharply criticised Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch - who joined the majority - calling them "fools and lapdogs for radical-left Democrats."
New 10% global tariff announced
Despite the setback, Trump said the ruling would not significantly constrain his trade agenda. He announced that he would immediately sign an executive order imposing a fresh 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, over and above existing duties.
He maintained that previously imposed tariffs would remain "in full force" and insisted there was no need for additional congressional action.
"The Supreme Court did not overrule tariffs. They merely overruled a particular use of IEEPA," Trump said, arguing that other statutes give the president broad authority to levy import duties.
He pointed to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the Tariff Act of 1930 as alternative legal pathways that could allow even higher tariffs. "I can charge more now," he said.
'Very powerful alternatives'
Trump said the administration had "very powerful alternatives" approved under existing law and signalled a tougher approach ahead. "I'm going to go in a different direction - probably the direction that I should've gone the first time… which is even stronger than our original choice," he said.
Defending his tariff policy, Trump argued that the US economy had performed strongly under his leadership, citing record levels in the Dow and the S&P 500. He said tariffs had been used effectively to strengthen the American economy and promised further action to protect domestic industries.
The Supreme Court's decision centred on whether IEEPA authorised the president to impose broad-based tariffs. In its majority opinion, the court concluded that the law does not grant such authority, marking a significant legal check on one aspect of Trump's trade strategy - even as he moves to pursue others.
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