The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that President Donald Trump violated federal law by unilaterally imposing sweeping tariffs on nearly all countries, a significant blow to his administration's economic policy.
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cnn.comcbsnews.comThe court's decision, rendered by a 6-3 majority led by Chief Justice John Roberts, determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.
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cbsnews.comIn its opinion, the court emphasized that IEEPA lacks any reference to tariffs or duties, and the government failed to demonstrate that Congress had authorized such power.
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cbsnews.comRoberts stated, "We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs.We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution." He highlighted that previous presidents did not interpret IEEPA to grant such authority.
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cnn.comThe ruling represents a significant legal defeat for Trump, as it is the first time the Supreme Court has evaluated the merits of one of his second-term policies.
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cbsnews.compbs.orgThe court's decision follows a series of lower court rulings that similarly found Trump's tariffs illegal, affirming a coalition of states led by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
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ag.ny.govThe tariffs in question were part of Trump's aggressive trade policy, which he used as a tool to negotiate better trade deals and bolster domestic manufacturing.
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cbsnews.comHowever, the court did not address the contentious issue of refunds for the billions already collected through the tariffs, leaving that matter for lower courts to resolve.
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cnn.comDuring a press conference following the ruling, Trump expressed his disappointment and criticized the justices who sided against him, calling them "a disgrace to our nation." He indicated that he would explore alternative authorities to impose tariffs, potentially using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows for temporary tariffs under specific conditions.
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cbsnews.comJustice Brett Kavanaugh, who dissented, warned that the ruling could have significant implications for existing trade agreements and noted that the potential refunds for already collected tariffs could create a "mess" for the US Treasury.
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cbsnews.comThe Supreme Court's ruling is seen as a crucial moment in the ongoing debate over executive power and the limits of presidential authority, especially concerning economic policy.The majority opinion underscored that broad assertions of executive power must be clearly authorized by Congress, reinforcing the principle of checks and balances.
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cbsnews.compbs.orgAs Trump continues to navigate the aftermath of this ruling, the implications for US trade policy and his administration's economic agenda remain uncertain.The court's decision has not only curtailed Trump's ability to impose tariffs unilaterally but also set a precedent for future administrations regarding the scope of executive power in economic matters.
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cnn.comag.ny.govIn the wake of the ruling, several businesses that had challenged the tariffs, including major companies like Costco, are now likely to seek refunds, further complicating the economic landscape.
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cbsnews.compbs.orgThe Supreme Court's decision is poised to reshape the dialogue around trade policy in the US, as the repercussions of this ruling unfold in the coming months.The case highlights the ongoing tension between economic policy and legal authority, raising questions about the future of trade relations and the president's role in shaping them.
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cbsnews.comag.ny.govAs the nation awaits further developments, the ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of legislative oversight in economic matters, ensuring that executive power is not exercised without appropriate checks from Congress.
