Trump warns nations ‘play games’ will face ‘much higher tariff’ after court ruling

Trump threatens tougher tariffs after ruling

US President Donald Trump has again lashed out at the Supreme Court of the United States, warning that countries seeking to “play games” in the wake of its ruling on his global tariff regime would face steeper trade penalties.

In a fresh post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Any Country that wants to ‘play games’ with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have ‘Ripped Off’ the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to. BUYER BEWARE!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

In a separate post, Trump insisted that congressional approval was not required for his trade actions. “As President, I do not have to go back to Congress to get approval of Tariffs. It has already been gotten, in many forms, a long time ago! They were also just reaffirmed by the ridiculous and poorly crafted supreme court decision! President DJT.”

The remarks follow a 6–3 decision delivered on 20 February that struck down key elements of his sweeping unilateral tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the president had claimed “extraordinary power” without clear congressional authorisation, ruling that the emergency authority cited by the administration “falls short”.

Despite the setback, Trump has insisted the judgment ultimately strengthened his hand. In an earlier Truth Social post, he argued that the “supreme court (will be using lower case letters for a while based on a complete lack of respect!)” had “accidentally and unwittingly gave me, as President of the United States, far more powers and strength than I had prior to their ridiculous, dumb, and very internationally divisive ruling.”

He contended that other trade tools remain available. “For one thing, I can use Licenses to do absolutely ‘terrible’ things to foreign countries,” he wrote, adding: “BUT ALL LICENSES CHARGE FEES, why can’t the United States do so? You do a license to get a fee!”

Trump also maintained that “The court has also approved all other Tariffs… and they can all be used in a much more powerful and obnoxious way, with legal certainty.”

The episode underscores intensifying tensions between the White House and the judiciary, as Trump seeks alternative legal avenues to press ahead with his protectionist trade agenda.