The US Supreme Court has made a significant ruling declaring that the tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump on foreign imports are illegal. This decision strikes at the heart of Trump's economic policies, which relied heavily on tariff revenues to influence trade dynamics, particularly with countries like China, Mexico, and Canada. The court's ruling underscores the constitutional requirement that only Congress has the authority to impose tariffs, thereby limiting presidential power regarding trade decisions.

Trump had attempted to bypass this constitutional limit by declaring two national emergencies, relying on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement what he branded 'emergency tariffs'. His arguments centered around a public health crisis linked to drugs and persistent trade deficits. The initial tariffs, referred to as