'Keep Calm And Tariff On': White House Reacts To Supreme Court Setback

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 07:41 IST

Soon after the ruling, Trump, while addressing the reporters, said the court had not overruled tariffs altogether but had only limited his use of the IEEPA.

Hours after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs, the White House hit back with a defiant message on social media.

Following the legal setback to the Trump administration, the White House, in a post on X, wrote, “Keep calm and tariff on," shortly after the president lashed out at the court.

Soon after the ruling, Trump, while addressing the reporters, said the court had not overruled tariffs altogether but had only limited his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

“The Supreme Court didn’t overrule tariffs; they merely overruled a particular use of IEEPA tariffs," he said, adding that “other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected".

This comes after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a statute designed for national emergencies—does not grant the president authority to impose sweeping global tariffs.

The decision deals a blow to Trump’s approach of invoking emergency powers to slap punitive duties on multiple countries.

Acting swiftly, Trump said he would sign an executive order to levy an additional 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, on top of existing duties. He added that the new tariff would come into force within three days.

He also maintained that sector-specific tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, covering imports such as steel and aluminium, as well as measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act, would remain in force. Several ongoing probes could lead to further sectoral tariffs, he added.

Accusing the conservative-dominated court of being “swayed by foreign interests", Trump said he was “absolutely ashamed" of certain justices.

He claimed the ruling left him “more powerful", arguing that alternative statutory routes could generate even higher revenues than his earlier tariff regime. On the possibility of refunds, he said the issue had not been discussed and predicted prolonged litigation.

On India, Trump said the ruling would not alter existing trade arrangements. He described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a gentleman," even as he renewed his criticism of what he called past tariff imbalances.

The ruling delivers a major setback to President Donald Trump’s hardline trade agenda, even as his administration indicates it will pursue new tariff measures through alternative legal routes.

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