Trump says new tariffs mirror those struck down by Supreme Court
President Donald Trump asserted that recently imposed tariffs are essentially the same as the ones the Supreme Court invalidated, while critics argue the measures circumvent the court's ruling.
President Donald Trump told Fox News that the latest U.S. tariffs are functionally identical to the duties the Supreme Court declared illegal earlier this year. He said the court’s decision forced the administration to use a “more cumbersome” legal approach to achieve the same outcome.
Liberty Justice Center chairman and CEO Sara Albrecht said the president’s remarks support the lawsuit alleging the administration is using different statutes as a pretext to revive the broader tariff regime that courts have rejected. Albrecht told CNBC that “changing the statute doesn’t change the law.”
In the same interview, Trump expressed a preference for the United States to exit the trilateral trade agreement with Canada and Mexico rather than renegotiate it, stating that the deal is more important for the other countries than for the U.S.
The administration announced Section 301 tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from over 80 nations, citing forced-labor concerns. The duties took effect as a temporary 10% global tariff expired. Critics argue the new measures are intended to preserve the broader tariff framework the courts have deemed unauthorized.
A senior administration official said the timing was chosen to avoid complexity, not to replace the earlier tariffs. Trump dismissed concerns that the tariffs could harm the economy, claiming they have benefited the country and helped prevent wars.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not respond to requests for comment.