US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the US Supreme Court, describing its recent ruling to overturn tariffs as "very disappointing," in a move that reflects the deep rift between the president's protectionist economic vision and the judiciary's legal interpretations.
In a press conference held just hours after the ruling on Friday, Trump made no secret of his outrage, stating that he was "ashamed" of some of the judges for lacking what he called the "courage" to make decisions in the best interests of the United States. The president asserted that the ruling was a major obstacle to his efforts to make America "strong, healthy, and great again," a slogan he has long championed as a cornerstone of his economic policies.
Judicial division and political controversy
In his response, Trump praised the three judges who dissented, calling them paragons of patriotism, while sharply criticizing the majority who voted to overturn the tariffs. He described their vote as a "disgrace" to the nation, suggesting their stance reflected an automatic rejection of any measure that would enhance US economic sovereignty and strengthen its negotiating position with other world powers.
Economic context and historical background
This ruling comes amid a long-standing struggle over the president's trade powers. Since taking office, the Trump administration has relied heavily on tariffs as a key tool of foreign and economic pressure, often invoking Cold War-era laws such as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which authorizes tariffs for national security purposes. Observers see the Supreme Court ruling as a significant shift in curbing the executive branch's unchecked use of economic tools.
International implications and future concerns
Referring to the international dimension of the ruling, Trump noted that foreign countries were "celebrating" the court's decision, arguing that these countries had been the biggest beneficiaries of previous open trade policies that harmed American industry. He warned that this international celebration "won't last long," pledging to find legal and procedural alternatives to compensate for the rescinded tariffs.
The president claimed, without providing concrete evidence, that the court might have been influenced by foreign interests or narrow political calculations, describing the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering as "far smaller than some people think." This statement suggests the potential for escalating tensions between the executive and judicial branches in the coming period, as Trump asserted that his administration would not stand idly by and would resort to alternative options to protect the American market and domestic products from what he termed unfair foreign competition.
