U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that he intends to move forward with his tariff plans despite the Supreme Court overturning his previous tariff framework.
During his State of the Union address, Trump described the ruling as disappointing but emphasized that tariffs had played a key role in strengthening the U.S. economy over the past year. He added that his administration would maintain tariffs using alternative legal mechanisms, although he did not provide specific details.
Trump also stated that Congressional approval would not be required to continue implementing tariffs. He noted that existing trade agreements with major global partners remain intact and suggested that any renegotiated terms would be less favorable for those countries.
The president reiterated his long-standing position that tariff revenue could eventually reduce or replace income taxes, claiming such policies would generate significant government revenue.
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority when imposing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In response, Trump introduced new tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, initially proposing 15% duties. However, the tariffs took effect at a lower rate of 10%, reflecting limitations on imposing higher duties without Congressional approval.
Record-Length State of the Union Address
Trump delivered the longest State of the Union speech in U.S. history, lasting one hour and 48 minutes. His address covered key issues including immigration, trade, economic performance, and cost-of-living measures. He also criticized political opponents and the previous administration.
Trump highlighted stock market gains, attributing the growth to his tariff policies. He also discussed artificial intelligence and technology infrastructure, stating that major tech companies should build independent power facilities for their data centers to prevent higher electricity costs for consumers.
