US Supreme Court overturns Trump's sweeping tariffs

The US Supreme Court ruled Friday that former President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority by imposing broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, a law intended for national emergencies.

The 6-3 decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, upheld a lower court's finding that the law does not authorize tariffs. Roberts wrote: "Our task is to determine whether the power to regulate imports granted to the president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act includes the power to impose tariffs. The answer is no."

The court invoked the major questions doctrine, requiring clear congressional authorization for executive actions with vast economic and political significance. The majority warned that Trump's interpretation could infringe on Congress's constitutional power over tariffs.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, concurred in a separate opinion, stating the ruling does not preclude presidents from using other legal authorities for tariffs and likely will not broadly limit such powers.

US stock indexes rose sharply after the decision, marking their largest gains in over two weeks amid recent volatility from Trump's tariff policies. The dollar weakened, while Treasury yields increased.

The White House has not commented officially. Democrats and some industry groups welcomed the ruling, while certain business organizations cautioned it could prolong uncertainty if the administration pursues alternative legal paths for new tariffs.