Supreme Court strikes down President Trump’s tariffs
WASHINGTON (CBS) - The Supreme Court dealt a major blow to President Trump's economic policies Friday, striking down his sweeping use of tariffs.
In a 6 to 3 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's sweeping tariff agenda, writing that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.
President Trump announced global tariffs last April, on what he called Liberation Day. He had argued as recently as Thursday that a ruling against tariffs would be an economic blow to the country.
"We have to be before the supreme court of the united states to justify tariffs which are making every one of these businesses thrive. And without them, all these buildings are closed like they have been before I got here," said President Trump.
Small businesses and a group of states brought the legal challenge to the court in November.
These tariffs aren't paid by foreign governments or companies. It's american businesses like mine and american consumers that are footing the bill(sot victor owen schwartz/ founder, vos selections)
The majority opinion included two of the three justices President Trump appointed, Justices Gorsuch and barrett. Only Justices Kavanaugh, Alito and Thomas dissented.
The Supreme Court decision impacts the reciprocal tariffs, but it does not prevent the President from imposing sector- specific tariffs under different trade laws, including levies on copper, steel and aluminum, which remain in effect.
A coalition of small business owners are now calling to be fully refunded for the tariffs that were collected. The supreme court in its ruling today did not address how that might happen.
