- Trump vows to seek an expedited Supreme Court ruling to save his tariff program.
- A federal appeals court ruled his global tariffs exceeded presidential authority under IEEPA.
- Tariffs remain in place until Oct. 14, giving Trump time to appeal.
President Donald Trump doubled down on his tariff fight Wednesday, saying his administration will head to the Supreme Court immediately to secure an expedited ruling. Without tariffs, Trump warned, the U.S. economy could be in “serious trouble.”
At an Oval Office press conference, Trump blasted a lower court decision that cast doubt on trillions in tariff revenue collected under his policies. “We are going to the SC tomorrow and we are going to ask for an expedited ruling. Stock markets need the tariffs,” Trump said, painting the move as essential for economic stability.
Trump Blasts “Shocking” Ruling
The president called the court’s ruling “very shocking,” claiming that foreign actors were quietly backing the lawsuits challenging his trade strategy. “A lot of people behind that lawsuit are from foreign countries,” Trump said, warning that the decision put America’s financial security at risk.
He also acknowledged that one judge appointed by former President Barack Obama voted in favor of his tariffs. “I gave him credit,” Trump said, hinting that even political rivals recognized the importance of his policies.
Tariffs and Presidential Power on Trial
Tariffs have long been the cornerstone of Trump’s trade strategy, particularly during his standoff with China. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit struck a major blow to that agenda last week. In a 7-4 ruling, the judges said Trump had overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law from 1977.
“The text and structure of IEEPA make it unlikely that Congress intended to grant the president unlimited authority to impose tariffs,” the opinion read, reinforcing an earlier decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
What Happens Next
While the ruling raised serious doubts about Trump’s authority, it didn’t immediately kill the tariffs. Instead, the appeals court allowed them to remain in place until October 14, giving Trump’s team time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
For now, Trump is betting that the highest court in the land will side with him—and fast. “They ruled against our country, they have ruled against us before,” he complained, but promised to fight to keep tariffs alive, framing them as not just policy but a shield for America’s economy.
