President Donald Trump is still fuming over a Supreme Court ruling. The February ruling struck down his tariff regime and now compels refunds.
Donald Trump expresses his feeling over Supreme Court decision
The president voiced his irritation to Fortune over the court dismantling the tariffs that once defined his economic message. “It really pi**es me off.” However, what bothers him most is not simply losing the legal case, but having to hand the money back. “Can you imagine…to people who hate us, to countries that ripped us off for years, I’ve got to give them back $149 billion,” he said.
The Supreme Court dealt that blow on February 20. In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative-majority bench found the tariffs were unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.”
Donald Trump has reacted similarly at the time, directing his anger even at justices he had appointed. Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett joined the majority, and Trump called their votes “incorrect” while saying he was “absolutely ashamed.”
The court offered no roadmap for refunds, but the administration disclosed earlier this month that it is issuing more than $35.5 billion to importers who filed successful claims. The New York Times has reported that those payments go only to companies that directly paid the tariffs, so everyday Americans are unlikely to see a cent.
The president first launched what he called “Liberation Day” levies last April, setting a 10 percent baseline tariff on most countries and steeper rates on dozens more. But the economic pain landed closer to home as a Tax Foundation analysis estimated the levies will cost the average household about $1,300 this year. Moreover, economists have long argued that American businesses and shoppers, not foreign governments, foot the bill.
However, Donald Trump is already using alternative legal channels to bring the change back (via Independent).
