Leaders React to SC Ruling Striking Down Trump Tariffs
New Delhi/Washington: Political leaders in India and the US reacted strongly after the US Supreme Court struck down sweeping global tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The Congress party alleged that the Modi government had entered into a “unilateral” trade framework with Washington ahead of the court’s decision. Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a “late night phone call” to the US on February 2 and suggested that New Delhi should have waited for the Supreme Court’s verdict before finalizing the deal.
Khera said in his post on
The trade framework, announced earlier this month, reduced US tariffs on Indian exports from 50 percent to 18 percent and outlined broader commitments on trade and imports.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram also sought clarity from the government, asking how the US court’s order will affect the recently announced trade framework. He had previously argued that both countries could return to the status quo ante if tariffs were reduced.
Citing reported concessions under the agreement (including zero tariffs on many US exports to India and India’s intention to import US$500 billion worth of American goods, including energy), Chidambaram asked what those commitments would be. He also questioned the next steps to be taken by the Indian trade delegation currently in the US to finalize the framework text.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Attorney General Neal Katyal, who challenged the tariffs before the US Supreme Court, hailed the decision as a landmark development in upholding constitutional principles.
Katyal called the decision a strong endorsement of the separation of powers and emphasized that the power to impose taxes rests solely with Congress. In his statement about X, he said, “Presidents are powerful, but our Constitution is even stronger. In America, only Congress can impose taxes on the American people.”
He also praised the Liberty Justice Center and small business owners who opposed the tariffs, noting that the decision provides relief to businesses and consumers across the country.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision has triggered significant political and diplomatic debate, with leaders on both sides of the Atlantic considering its implications for trade policy, executive authority and ongoing bilateral negotiations.
