WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he retains “the absolute right” to impose new tariffs after the US Supreme Court ruled that several of the import duties enacted during his previous administration were unlawful.
Trump criticized the court in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming it had “unnecessarily ransacked” the US economy. He argued that the decision could “potentially give away trillions of dollars to countries and companies that have been taking advantage of the United States for decades.”
The dispute stems from a February ruling in which the Supreme Court determined that a law originally intended to address national emergencies did not legally justify many of the tariffs the Trump administration had imposed on foreign goods. The court concluded that the president had exceeded statutory authority under that law, striking down the duties as inconsistent with congressional authorization.
In response, Trump swiftly enacted a new set of tariffs, imposing a 10% duty on goods from a broad range of countries under a different statute, Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. However, these tariffs are temporary and set to expire after 150 days, in July. Although the president indicated plans to increase the rate to 15%, that adjustment has not yet been implemented.
Last week, US trade officials launched multiple investigations into foreign imports, which could pave the way for a new round of permanent tariffs to replace those invalidated by the Supreme Court. These probes will examine whether imports from certain countries continue to threaten domestic industries, a determination that could provide legal grounds for sustained tariffs under congressional statutes.
Trump reiterated his position on Truth Social, writing: “Our Supreme Court has made these countries very happy but, as the court pointed out, I have the absolute right to charge tariffs in another form, and have already started to do so.”
Legal experts caution that the Supreme Court did not explicitly grant the president the “absolute right” to impose tariffs through alternative means. Instead, the ruling focused narrowly on whether the specific emergency powers previously invoked provided lawful authority. Any future tariffs would still need to comply with statutory limits imposed by Congress, including provisions of the Trade Act of 1974.
Economists have noted that the ongoing tariff adjustments and uncertainty over potential new duties could have wide-reaching effects on US businesses and international trade. Industries reliant on imported materials may face higher costs, while foreign trading partners could respond with retaliatory measures, potentially escalating trade tensions.
The president’s comments reflect broader concerns within his administration over perceived trade imbalances and longstanding disputes with major trading partners, particularly regarding tariffs on goods from China, the European Union, and other key markets. Trump has consistently argued that US companies and consumers have been disadvantaged by unfair trade practices and that tariffs are a necessary tool to protect domestic industry.
As the July expiration date for the temporary tariffs approaches, the administration faces pressure to define a legal framework for any new duties, balancing the need to assert trade protections while adhering to statutory limits established by Congress. Meanwhile, Congressional lawmakers from both parties have raised questions about executive overreach, emphasizing that trade policy requires coordination between the legislative and executive branches.
Trump’s statement on Sunday underscores his intent to continue leveraging tariffs as a central element of US trade strategy, while also signaling potential friction with judicial oversight on the scope of presidential authority. Analysts suggest that the outcome of ongoing trade investigations and any new tariff measures could significantly shape US international economic relations in the months ahead.
