US President Donald Trump’s administration has moved the Supreme Court to challenge a federal appeals court ruling that declared most of his sweeping tariffs illegal.
In its filing, the administration argued that tariffs remain a central element of its foreign policy, particularly in relation to the Ukraine conflict.
“The President recently authorised IEEPA tariffs against India for purchasing Russian energy products, to deal with a preexisting national emergency regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, as a crucial aspect of his push for peace in that war-torn country,” the filing stated.
The administration further said, “According to the president, one year ago, the United States was a dead country, and now, because of the trillions of dollars being paid by countries that have so badly abused us, America is a strong, financially viable, and respected country again.”
Appeals Court Ruling and Trade Tensions
On August 27, the Trump administration doubled tariffs on India to 50 percent, citing both India’s purchase of Russian oil and the “America First” drive to cut trade deficits.
However, last week the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a 7-4 decision, ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by imposing wide-ranging duties. The court said that while the president may respond to a declared national emergency, the statute does not empower him to levy tariffs or taxes.
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Despite ruling the tariffs illegal, the appeals court allowed them to remain in place until mid-October to give the administration time to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had warned that suspending the tariffs would cause “dangerous diplomatic embarrassment.”
Reacting to the decision, Trump posted on Truth Social that the appeals court “incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end,” adding that he would fight back “with the help” of the Supreme Court.
