The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a significant blow to President Donald Trump's administration by ruling that the majority of the tariffs he imposed on imports were illegal. The decision came with a 6 to 3 majority, declaring that Trump overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This act was designed to empower the President to address "extraordinary threats" during a national emergency, including the regulation of foreign goods, but the court found that Trump's actions exceeded these powers. The ruling highlights the limited scope of presidential authority regarding trade tariffs, which are traditionally under the purview of Congress.

The IEEPA was enacted in 1977 to curb presidential power in national security matters following abuses seen during Nixon's presidency related to trade tariffs. The Supreme Court's ruling stresses that while the President has some authority to manage imports in exceptional cases, most tariffs are to be determined by Congress. As a result of this ruling, Trump expressed his frustration and announced a plan to raise the existing tariffs by an additional 10%, essentially countering the court's decision and indicating a willingness to bypass the ruling in pursuit of his trade agenda.

This legal battle not only underscores the ongoing tensions between Trump's administration and the judiciary but also raises larger questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in matters of trade and economic policy. The implications of this ruling could reverberate across future legislative actions as Congress weighs in on trade negotiations, and for President Trump, it represents another scrutiny over his ability to implement his economic policies.