Trump furious after Supreme Court upends his global tariffs, imposes new 10% levy

US President Donald Trump responded with fury to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that he lacked the power to unilaterally set tariffs on imports, denouncing individual justices as he vowed to continue a global trade war that has kept the world on edge for a year. 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, though it could face legal challenges.

The court’s landmark 6-3 ruling upended the leverage Trump and his trade envoys have wielded over foreign governments at negotiating tables to reshape diplomatic relations and global markets. The ruling briefly sent US stock indexes surging before ending modestly higher as analysts warned of renewed confusion in global markets while they await Trump’s next moves. Hours after the ruling, Trump signed an executive order repealing the tariffs that the court struck down, and he also issued a proclamation imposing a 10% duty on most goods imported into the US for 150 days, granting exemptions for certain items including critical minerals, metals and energy products, the White House said.

The ruling called into question the trade deals Trump’s envoys have negotiated in recent months under the threat of high tariffs. It left open the fate of the $175bn (R2.8-trillion) Trump has collected from US importers under what the court said was his incorrect reading of the law. “I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” Trump told reporters at the White House, complaining that foreign countries were ecstatic and “dancing in the street”.

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He insinuated, without evidence, that most of the court caved to foreign influence: “They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our constitution. It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think.” Since returning to the White House 13 months ago, Trump has said he had what the court summarised as the “extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope”. Citing a national emergency, he said the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) meant he could set tariffs at any rate he chose. The court grounded its opinion, which was written by chief justice John Roberts, with a quote from the US Constitution: “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.”

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