Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh praised the US Supreme Court for striking down most of President Donald Trump’s imposed tariffs. Ramesh commended the 6-3 verdict, calling it a significant decision given the court’s composition. The ruling, delivered on Friday, is seen as a setback to Trump’s economic plans.
The court, led by conservatives, limited the President’s executive power by declaring his imposition of broad import levies, including on India, unauthorized under a 1977 emergency law. Described as a major blow to Trump’s economic agenda, Politico labeled the decision as a repudiation of a core part of his policies.
Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized the constitutional boundaries of presidential authority in the majority opinion. Roberts highlighted the need for clear congressional authorization for the President to impose tariffs unilaterally. The court ruled that Trump lacked the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enforce such tariffs.
The justices rejected Trump’s broad interpretation of the law, which allows Presidents to regulate imports in response to national emergencies. Roberts clarified that the President cannot impose tariffs under the IEEPA, stating the court’s limited role as defined by the Constitution.
