The US Supreme Court declared Donald Trump’s global tariffs illegal by a 6-3 majority. Many import duties including 18% reciprocal tariff on India were cancelled. The court said that only Congress has the right to impose tariffs.
Trump Tariff Supreme Court Decision: The US Supreme Court on Friday, February 20, declared the global tariff imposed by President Donald Trump illegal. The court clearly said that many import duties imposed on other countries are not in accordance with the Constitution. After this decision, the 18% reciprocal tariff imposed on India has also become invalid.
Decision by 6-3 majority: Only Congress has the right to impose tariffs
The Supreme Court ruled by a majority of 6-3. The court said that according to the US Constitution, the right to impose taxes and tariffs does not lie with the President, but with the Congress (US Parliament). This decision of the court is being considered a big blow to Trump’s economic policies. Before the hearing, Trump had said that if his side lost, the country would suffer huge losses.
Heavy tariffs were imposed in April 2025
In April 2025, citing national security, Trump had imposed heavy import duties on goods coming from many countries. Tariff means that more taxes are imposed on goods coming from a country, so that they become expensive and domestic companies benefit.
Which tariffs were canceled?
The court order has not ended all of Trump’s tariffs. The duties imposed on steel and aluminum were imposed under separate laws, so they will still be applicable. However, tariffs of two big categories have been banned.
1. Reciprocal Tariff
In this category, Trump had fixed different rates for different countries.
34% tariff on China
10% baseline tariff for rest of the countries
After the court decision, all these reciprocal tariffs have become invalid. This also includes the 18% tariff imposed on India.
2. 25% Tariff (Canada, China, Mexico)
The Trump administration had imposed a 25% tariff on some goods coming from Canada, China and Mexico. The administration said that these countries did not take adequate steps to stop the smuggling of fentanyl into the US. The Supreme Court has also canceled this 25% tariff.
Court’s comment on tariffs: America is not at war with every country
The Supreme Court reprimanded the Trump administration and said that America is not at war with every country in the world. However, three judges disagreed with this decision. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the majority decision. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his note that whether the tariff policy was wise or not is a separate issue. But according to him it was legally valid. He also mentioned the tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil and said that these steps were taken under sensitive issues related to foreign policy and national security.
Structure of the American Supreme Court
There are a total of 9 judges in the US Supreme Court. Of these, 6 judges have been appointed by Republican presidents, while 3 judges have been appointed by Democratic presidents. All three judges who voted against the decision were appointed by Republican presidents.