Trump Administration Defends India Tariffs In US Supreme Court As Tool For Ukraine ‘Peace’

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 21:26 IST

Donald Trump’s administration urges the US Supreme Court to uphold tariffs, linking them to efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump’s administration petitioned the Supreme Court to uphold his sweeping tariff regime, arguing that the duties are not only central to his economic agenda but also a “crucial aspect" of his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

In court papers filed, the administration wrote, “The President recently authorised IEEPA tariffs against India for purchasing Russian energy products, to deal with a preexisting national emergency regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, as a crucial aspect of his push for peace in that war-torn country."

The appeal comes after a 7–4 ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit last week, which declared many of Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal but allowed them to remain in place temporarily, giving the administration until mid-October to seek US Supreme Court intervention. The ruling affirmed a lower court’s finding that Trump had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Doubling Down On India

The Donald Trump administration doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent- half aimed at punishing New Delhi for ramping up Russian oil imports and half tied to Donald Trump’s “America First" drive to slash trade deficits.

The filing noted, “With tariffs, the US is a rich nation, and without, it is a poor nation. According to the president, one year ago, the United States was a dead country, and now, because of the trillions of dollars being paid by countries that have so badly abused us, America is a strong, financially viable, and respected country again."

Legal Challenge To IEEPA Use

Donald Trump has invoked IEEPA, a Cold War-era law granting the US President economic powers during national emergencies, to levy what he calls “reciprocal tariffs." But the appeals court ruled that while IEEPA authorises asset freezes and sanctions, it does not extend to imposing tariffs, duties or taxes.

Donald Trump dismissed the decision, posting on Truth Social, “The appeals court incorrectly said that our tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end." He vowed to fight back “with the help" of the Supreme Court.

News world Trump Administration Defends India Tariffs In US Supreme Court As Tool For Ukraine ‘Peace’

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