Foreign influence allegation to refund uncertainty: Key takeaways of Trump’s press conference over Supreme Court tariff ruling | World News

U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to the Supreme Court’s decision restricting his authority to use key tariffs and invalidating sweeping global tariffs, held a very detailed and combative press conference while declaring that the measures were implemented without proper constitutional authority.

In the James S Brady Press Briefing Room on Friday afternoon, Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court, overruled opponents in Congress, pointed to potential tariff hikes, defended his economic record, blamed unspecified “foreign interests” for influencing judgments, and portrayed tariffs not just as tools of trade but also as instruments of diplomacy, border security and national power.

His extensive news conference emphasized the continued centrality of tariffs to his presidency and suggested that the Supreme Court decision had done little to soften his approach.

Key takeaways from the briefing include:

New 10% global tariff

Trump announced that he had signed an executive order imposing “10% global tariffs under Section 122,” above normal US tariffs already in place.
He emphasized that national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing Section 301 tariffs “remain in full force and effect.”
This move by POTUS is not a signal of giving up, but of a major change in legal strategy.

2. Tariffs may increase further

When asked about the possibility of tariff rates rising above their current levels, Trump said: “Potentially higher… It depends on what we want them to be.” he said.

He also suggested that the Supreme Court’s decision could lead to larger tax levies, saying “we can prosecute a lot more than I’m claiming” under alternative statutes.

3. Authority to impose embargo

Donald Trump has consistently emphasized the extent of his authority beyond tariffs. “I can put an embargo. I can do whatever I want,” he said.

“I have the right to destroy the country, but I cannot charge them a small fee,” he added.

4. Violent attack on the US Supreme Court

President Donald Trump called the Supreme Court’s decision “deeply disappointing” and said he was “embarrassed by some members of the court.” While praising Justices Thomas, Alito and Kavanaugh for their dissent, he spoke of their “strength, wisdom and love for our country.”

Other Supreme Court Justices who have invalidated Trump’s schedule, including some he appointed alone, said Trump said the decision was “an embarrassment to their family” but declined to say whether he regretted nominating them.

5. Alleges foreign influence on US justice system

In one of the most shocking moments, Donald Trump emphasized: “In my opinion, the court was manipulated by foreign interests.”

When asked about the evidence supporting his claim, he replied: “What will you learn?” but did not share any details.

He emphasized that external powers have “undue influence” and that this is likely to influence the Supreme Court Justices “through fear, respect or friendship”.

Trump’s claim reflected a significant strengthening of critical discourse towards the US courts.

6. POTUS rejects Congress’ role on tariffs

President Trump has flatly rejected suggestions that he should work with lawmakers to create a new tariff framework. “There’s no need, it’s already approved,” he said.

“I have the right to make tariffs. And I always had the right to make tariffs.”

Trump’s statement underscored his long-standing stance that existing laws give the executive branch broad trade authority.

7. Intra-party conflict

Addressing Republican critics who opposed some elements of his tariff policy, Trump admitted he lost “three votes” but said they were “not good Republicans.”

He also emphasized party unity and acknowledged that most Republican lawmakers support his stance.

8. Tariff refund uncertainty

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision raised the question of what will happen to the billions of dollars already collected under the challenged authority. “They’re not even discussing that point,” President Trump said of this view.

“We’ll be in court for the next five years,” he added, predicting that the issue “will be litigated for the next two years.”

9. Tariffs as the economic engine of the United States

President Trump has explicitly linked tariffs to economic performance, pointing to the positive impact of tariffs on the stock market.
“Our stock market recently broke 50,000 on the Dow and 7,000 on the S&P,” he said. He also mentioned a jobs and inflation data, stating the January jobs report and consumer price numbers “beat expectations” and that “real wages are up”.

Recalling a visit to a steel mill in Georgia, Trump said a manager told him, “Sir, I want to kiss you” because tariffs were stimulating business.

10. Tariffs financing agricultural aid

Trump stated that revenue from tariffs finances domestic support programs. “Last week I gave them $12 billion in tariffs,” he said, referring to farmers.

11. Tariffs as a diplomatic tool

President Trump once again described tariffs as tools of foreign policy. “Tariffs were likewise used to end five of the eight wars I have solved,” he said.

Stating that he warned both sides about “200 percent tariffs”, he added: “I did this largely with tariffs.

12. Trade framework with India

“Nothing is changing,” he said when asked about a pending trade framework with India.

“They will pay tariffs and we will not,” he said, describing it as a reversal of previous arrangements.

13. Fentanyl and China

President Trump said he imposed a “20 percent tariff” on China “as punishment for shipping fentanyl,” claiming that the flow of fentanyl had decreased by “more than 30 percent.” He credited the tariffs alongside what he called a “strong border.”

14. Criticizes Europe

President Trump said “Europe has woken up” and warned that energy and immigration policies were killing Europe. This statement highlighted how Trump tied the trade dispute to broader cultural and geopolitical narratives.

15. Criticism of the Federal Reserve

He criticized the Federal Reserve Chairman as “very incompetent” and called for interest rates to “come down very significantly,” stating that the United States should pay “the lowest interest rates on the planet.”

16. “Precision” Claim

Despite the judicial setback, President Trump has consistently presented the Supreme Court decision as enlightening rather than limiting executive power.

“There will no longer be any doubt,” he said.

“A great deal of certainty has been restored to the economy of the United States and, indeed, to the world economy.”

The press conference emphasized the US President’s tendency to transform institutional resistance into political pressure.

Rather than adjusting his tariff agenda following the Supreme Court’s decision, President Trump framed it as an endorsement of a broader strategy combining economic nationalism, diplomatic pressure, and assertive use of executive authority.

The White House’s message was clear: The tariff campaign is not slowing down; It may be entering a new phase.