Supreme Court Overturns Key Trump Tariffs, Sparking Political Turmoil
On Friday, congressional Republicans experienced a brief respite from a major conflict with the Trump administration, only to see it vanish quickly. The Supreme Court invalidated a substantial part of President Donald Trump's global tariff system, affirming that the authority to impose taxes rests solely with Congress. Initially, many Republicans responded with cautious statements, some even lauding the decision, and GOP leaders pledged to collaborate with Trump on future tariff matters.
Trump Defies Court, Announces New Global Tariff
However, by afternoon, Trump unequivocally rejected any cooperation with Congress, declaring he would act independently by instituting a new global 10% import tax. On Saturday morning, he escalated further, announcing an increase to 15%. This move utilizes a law that limits such tariffs to 150 days and has never been applied in this manner before. The decision could profoundly impact the global economy and force Republicans to continually address Trump's tariff policies in the lead-up to the midterm elections.
"I have the right to do tariffs, and I've always had the right to do tariffs," Trump asserted at a news conference, emphasizing his disregard for congressional input. On Saturday, he took to social media to hail the three dissenting Supreme Court justices as his new heroes.
Historical GOP Divisions on Tariffs
Tariffs have emerged as a rare area where the Republican-controlled Congress has diverged from Trump. Both the House and Senate have previously passed resolutions criticizing tariffs imposed on allies like Canada. This issue also highlights one of the few instances where Republican lawmakers, traditionally advocates of free trade, have openly questioned Trump's economic strategies.
"The empty merits of sweeping trade wars with America's friends were evident long before today's decision," stated Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime Senate Republican leader, noting that tariffs inflate housing costs and disrupt key industries in his home state of Kentucky.
Democrats Seize on Tariff Controversy for Midterms
Democrats, aiming to regain congressional control, have adopted McConnell's arguments as part of their campaign strategy. At a Friday news conference, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned that Trump's new tariffs "will still raise people's costs and they will hurt the American people as much as his old tariffs did." Schumer urged Republicans to block Trump's latest tariff initiative, while Democrats also demanded refunds for consumers affected by the overturned tariffs.
"The American people paid for these tariffs and the American people should get their money back," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., declared on social media. This aligns with a core Democratic message for the midterms: Trump has exacerbated living costs through tariff-induced price hikes.
Economic Impact and Congressional Response
An analysis by the JPMorganChase Institute reveals that midsize U.S. businesses have absorbed import taxes by raising prices for customers, reducing employment, or accepting lower profits. The Supreme Court's ruling clarified that Congress holds constitutional authority over tariffs, yet Trump swiftly invoked the Trade Act of 1974, which permits temporary import taxes during significant balance-of-payments deficits—a provision never before used or legally tested.
While some Republicans have cautioned about economic repercussions, they have largely avoided direct confrontation with Trump. A generational split is evident within the GOP, with younger lawmakers strongly supporting Trump's "America First" protectionism to boost U.S. manufacturing, whereas others uphold free trade principles.
Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio condemned the Supreme Court's decision, urging colleagues to "codify the tariffs that had made our country the hottest country on earth!" In contrast, Rep. Don Bacon, a critic not seeking reelection, praised the ruling, insisting that "Congress must stand on its own two feet, take tough votes and defend its authorities." Bacon anticipates increased Republican resistance, referencing recent House actions against Trump's Canadian tariffs that prompted threats of political retaliation from the president.
