US President Donald Trump delivered a really detailed and combative information convention whereas responding to a Supreme Court docket ruling that curtailed his authority of utilizing key tariffs and invalidated sweeping international tariffs, declaring that the measures had been imposed with out correct constitutional authority.
On Friday afternoon within the James S Brady Press Briefing Room, Donald Trump criticised the Supreme Court docket, dismissed Congressional opponents, hinted at potential tariff will increase, defended his financial document, accused unspecified “overseas pursuits” of influencing justices, and portrayed tariffs not solely as commerce devices but additionally as instruments of diplomacy, border safety, and nationwide energy.
The intensive press convention highlighted the continued centrality of tariffs to his presidency and advised that the Supreme Court docket’s resolution has carried out little to mood his strategy.
Key takeaways from the briefing embody:
A brand new 10% international tariff
Trump introduced that he has signed an govt order imposing “a ten% international underneath Part 122”, over and above US regular tariffs already being charged.
He confused that nationwide safety tariffs underneath Part 232 and present Part 301 tariffs would “stay in place, absolutely in place and in full power and impact”.
This transfer by POTUS doesn’t sign giving up, however a serious shift in authorized technique.
2. Tariffs could enhance additional
When questioned about the opportunity of tariff charges rising above their present stage, Trump mentioned, “Probably increased… It relies upon no matter we wish them to be.”
He additional mentioned underneath various statutes, “we will choose far more than I used to be charging,” suggesting the Supreme Court docket’s judgment may result in broader tax duties.
3. Authority to impose embargo
Donald Trump persistently empathised the extent of his powers past simply tariffs. “I can embargo. I can do something I would like,” he mentioned.
He added, “I am allowed to destroy the nation, however I am unable to cost them somewhat payment.”
4. Vehement assault on the US Supreme Court docket
President Donald Trump described the Prime court docket’s judgment “deeply disappointing”, saying he was “ashamed of sure members of the court docket”. Whereas praising Justices Thomas, Alito and Kavanaugh for dissenting, he cited their “power and knowledge and love of our nation”.
Different Supreme Court docket Justices who invalidated the Trump’s tariff, together with some he solely appointed, Trump mentioned the choice was “a humiliation to their households”, although he declined to say whether or not he regretted nominating them.
5. Claims overseas affect on US justice system
In one of the vital stunning moments, Donald Trump emphasised, “It is my opinion that the court docket has been swayed by overseas pursuits.”
When requested about proof supporting his declare, he replied, “You are going to discover out what?” however shared no specifics.
He highlighted exterior forces had “undue affect” and there’s risk of it impact on Supreme Court docket Justices “by concern or respect or friendships”.
Trump’s allegation mirrored a major amplification of important rhetoric aimed on the US courts.
6. POTUS dismisses Congress’ function in tariffs
President Trump very clearly dismissed the strategies that he ought to work with lawmakers to craft a brand new tariff framework. He mentioned, “You need not — it is already been authorised.”
“I’ve the fitting to do tariffs. And I’ve all the time had the fitting to do tariffs.”
This comment by Trump highlighted his longstanding stance that present statutes give the chief broad commerce authority.
7. Intraparty friction
Whereas addressing the Republican critics who simply opposed parts of his tariff coverage, Trump admitted shedding “three votes”, nonetheless, he mentioned they had been “not good Republicans.”
On the similar time, he confused celebration unity, acknowledging that many of the Republican lawmakers supported his stand.
8. Tariff refund uncertainty
The US Supreme Court docket ruling raised the query of what occurs to billion of {dollars}, which has already been collected underneath the challenged authority. “They do not even talk about that time,” President Trump mentioned of the opinion.
He predicted the matter would “get litigated for the following two years”, including, “We’ll find yourself being in court docket for the following 5 years.”
9. Tariff as financial engine of US
President Trump clearly linked tariffs to financial efficiency, citing its constructive affect on inventory market.
“Our inventory market has only in the near past damaged 50,000 on the Dow… and… damaged 7,000 on the S&P,” he mentioned. He additionally talked about a jobs and inflation information, stating the January jobs report and shopper value numbers “beat expectations” and that “actual wages are up”.
Remembering his go to to a Georgia metal plant, Trump mentioned an govt instructed him, “Sir, I need to kiss you,” as a result of tariffs had revived the enterprise.
10. Tariffs funding farm help
Trump said that the income from tariffs had financed home assist packages. “Final week I gave them $12 billion out of tariff cash,” he mentioned, referring to farmers.
11. Tariffs as a diplomatic instrument
President Trump as soon as once more characterised tariffs as devices of overseas coverage. “Tariffs have likewise been used to finish 5 of the eight wars that I settled,” he mentioned.
He described warning either side of “a 200% tariff,” including, “I did it largely with tariffs.
12. Commerce framework with India
On being questioned a few pending commerce framework with India, He mentioned, “Nothing adjustments.”
He added that “they will be paying tariffs and we is not going to be paying tariffs”, describing it as a reversal from prior preparations.
13. Fentanyl and China
President Trump mentioned he had imposed “a 20% tariff” on China “as a penalty for sending fentanyl in,” claiming that fentanyl inflows had been down “greater than 30 per cent”. He credited tariffs together with what he known as a “robust border”.
14. Criticises Europe
President Trump mentioned “Europe has gone woke” and cautioned that power, immigration insurance policies killed Europe. This comment highlighted how Trump connects commerce dispute to broader cultural and geopolitical narratives.
15. Federal Reserve critique
He criticised the Federal Reserve Chair as “very incompetent” and urged that rates of interest “ought to come down very considerably”, stating the US ought to pay “the bottom rates of interest on the planet”.
16. Assertion of “Certainty”
Regardless of the judicial setback, President Trump persistently introduced the Supreme Court docket ruling as elucidating, moderately than limiting, govt authority.
“There’ll now not be any doubt,” he mentioned.
“Nice certainty has been introduced again to the financial system of the US and truly the financial system of the world.”
The press convention highlighted the US President’s tendency to remodel institutional resistance into political leverage.
As an alternative of moderating his tariff agenda following the Supreme Court docket’s ruling, President Trump framed it as affirmation of a broader technique—one that mixes financial nationalism, diplomatic strain, and an assertive use of govt energy.
The White Home’s message was clear: the tariff marketing campaign shouldn’t be slowing; it might merely be getting into a brand new stage.