US Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs

The US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling the president overstepped his authority by invoking emergency powers, Euronews reported.

The 6-3 decision centres on tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping reciprocal tariffs he levied on almost every US trading partner.

In a statement on Friday evening, Trump said he found the decision "deeply disappointing" and said he was "ashamed" of the court.

"Foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic. They're so happy and they're dancing in the streets, but they won't be dancing for long, I can assure you that," he continued.

The majority of Supreme Court justices found that the Constitution "very clearly" gives Congress the power to impose taxes, which include tariffs.

"The Framers did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his decision.

Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.

"The tariffs at issue here may or may not be wise policy. But as a matter of text, history, and precedent, they are clearly lawful," Kavanaugh wrote in the dissent.

Saying he was undeterred by what he repeatedly called a ridiculous ruling, Trump announced an immediate new 10% tariff on imports from all countries, on top of any existing tariffs, and then issued a proclamation putting them into effect. The law allows him to impose a levy of up to 15% for 150 days, although it could face legal challenges, Reuters reported.