Trump Accuses Supreme Court of “Ridiculous” Ruling That Grants Unprecedented Trade Leverage

President Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court on Monday morning following its 6-3 decision last week that invalidated his sweeping trade tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ruling held he lacked constitutional authority to impose such tariffs, vacating lower court rulings and marking a significant setback for Trump’s trade agenda.

In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump argued the ruling could expand his leverage over foreign nations and trade policy while criticizing the court’s reasoning and tone. He stated: “The supreme court (will be using lower case letters for a while based on a complete lack of respect!) of the United States accidentally and unwittingly gave me, as President of the United States, far more powers and strength than I had prior to their ridiculous, dumb, and very internationally divisive ruling.”

Trump claimed the decision clarifies alternative tools available to him, including “Licenses” for imposing penalties on foreign countries. He wrote: “For one thing, I can use Licenses to do absolutely ‘terrible’ things to foreign countries, especially those countries that have been RIPPING US OFF for many decades, but incomprehensibly, according to the ruling, can’t charge them a License fee – BUT ALL LICENSES CHARGE FEES, why can’t the United States do so?”

He further asserted the court’s decision leaves room for other tariffs and enforcement mechanisms: “The court has also approved all other Tariffs, of which there are many, and they can all be used in a much more powerful and obnoxious way, with legal certainty, than the Tariffs as initially used.”

Trump singled out three justices for praise while criticizing the majority, stating: “Our incompetent supreme court did a great job for the wrong people, and for that they should be ashamed of themselves (but not the Great Three!).” He also warned the court would soon rule in favor of China and others on birthright citizenship issues, claiming such decisions would “make China, and various other Nations, happy and rich.”

Trump closed his post by vowing to press forward despite the setback: “Let our supreme court keep making decisions that are so bad and deleterious to the future of our Nation – I have a job to do.”

The Supreme Court’s tariff decision immediately triggered renewed uncertainty across global markets and among U.S. trade partners, with foreign officials demanding clarity on next steps.