WASHINGTON, Feb 21 — President Donald Trump asserted on Friday that a landmark trade agreement with India remains intact despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down his previous sweeping tariffs. Responding to the judicial defeat, the President announced a new 10 percent global import duty intended to rebalance international trade.
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, declared that the President exceeded his legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, during a White House press conference, Trump stated that the ruling does not negate the progress made with New Delhi.
“Nothing changes,” Trump declared when questioned about the interim trade framework. He maintained that the deal ensures India will pay tariffs to the United States while American goods will not face similar burdens. “It’s a fair deal now. We did a little flip,” he added, referring to a shift in the previous trade dynamic.
The President affirmed that his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains “fantastic.” He noted that New Delhi had significantly reduced its reliance on Russian energy at his request, a move he linked to efforts to end regional conflicts.
Hours after the verdict, Trump signed a proclamation establishing a temporary 10 percent ad valorem import duty effective February 24. He argued that while the court restricted specific uses of the IEEPA, his broader executive powers to regulate trade under other federal statutes remain valid.
The President also took the opportunity to criticize the justices who ruled against him, labeling them “fools and lapdogs” for what he described as a lack of courage. Conversely, he praised the dissenting opinions of Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, citing their “strength and wisdom.”
