Republican reacted on social media to the court decision that limits the White House’s power over foreign trade and says that the current system ‘is an absurdity created by bureaucrats who never built anything’
The president returned to using social media this weekend to attack the restrictions imposed on the Executive in relation to trade policy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Republican complained that, according to the current interpretation of the Supreme Court and Congress, the president of the United States does not have full power to impose tariffs on foreign countries, even in cases involving national security.
“The President can stop all trade with a country, which is much heavier than a tariff, but not apply a simple tariff? That’s ridiculous!” Trump wrote. “Other countries can tax us, but we can’t tax them? It’s their dream! What’s happening to the Supreme Court?”, he asked.
Trump’s criticism comes after a series of court decisions and legal interpretations that restrict the use of unilateral tariffs by the Executive. In recent years, the Supreme Court and federal courts have reinforced that the power to set and change tariffs belongs to Congress, and that the president can only act autonomously in specific situations, such as national emergencies or under laws that already explicitly delegate this power — such as the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Trump argues that this limitation weakens American economic sovereignty and benefits competitors such as China, Mexico and the European Union, which, according to him, “take advantage of loopholes to export subsidized products while imposing unfair tariffs against the US”.
The clash with the Supreme Court
Sources close to the White House point out that Trump was angered after recent Supreme Court decisions that nullified unilateral economic measures taken by federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the USTR (United States Trade Representative).
These decisions are based on the so-called “major questions doctrine”, according to which Executive bodies cannot make decisions with major economic impact without explicit authorization from Congress. In practice, this limits the president’s ability to act quickly on trade issues, including imposing punitive tariffs against countries considered hostile.
Trump sees this limitation as a direct attack on the “America First” doctrine, which advocates the aggressive use of tariffs to protect American industry and jobs. “Companies are returning to the United States just because of the tariffs,” said the president. “That’s why the political and legal establishment is trying to stop this. They’ve never produced anything – they just hinder those who want to work.”
Political and economic impact
The issue of tariffs is one of the pillars of Trump’s economic policy. Since his return to the White House, Trump has defended a “Universal Tariff” of 10% on all imports, in addition to specific tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese products.
The proposal divides economists:
• Government allies say that tariffs strengthen national industry, reduce dependence on imports and guarantee billions in revenue for the Treasury;
• Critics warn that the general increase in tariffs could raise domestic prices, harm consumers and provoke international retaliation, which would impact American exporters;
Despite the controversies, Trump maintains his defiant tone and relies on the nationalist rhetoric that made him popular among workers and industrialists in the so-called “Rust Belt”.
“The United States will no longer be exploited. We will protect our jobs and our factories. The Supreme Court needs to understand that the president must be able to act for the good of the American people”, concluded Trump.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
