The United States Supreme Court has nullified the broad global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, ruling that he exceeded his constitutional authority.
In a 6–3 decision on Friday, the court upheld a lower court’s verdict that Trump unlawfully relied on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to introduce wide-ranging import duties without congressional approval.
Delivering the lead opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts stressed that emergency powers cannot be stretched to justify taxation measures absent clear legislative backing.
“The president must point to clear congressional authorisation to justify his extraordinary assertion of the power to impose tariffs. He cannot,” Roberts wrote.
The ruling represents a major constitutional setback for Trump and reshapes the trajectory of US trade policy.
Tariffs had been central to Trump’s economic agenda and foreign policy stance, particularly during his second term, triggering market volatility and straining ties with major trading partners.
The court’s decision is gathered to have far-reaching consequences for global commerce and the balance of power between Congress and the presidency.
