SC strikes down sweeping tariffs, US president says ruling a disgrace

US President Donald Trump slammed the Supreme Court's decision to strike down his sweeping tariffs, marking the end of one of his signature economic initiatives.

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The 79-year-old Republican labelled the landmark ruling a “disgrace,” while a number of lawmakers, particularly Democrats, lauded the decision as a victory for American consumers and the separation of powers.

In the 6-3 opinion released on Friday morning, the justices ruled that Trump's levies were not authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which permits the president to regulate trade in “unusual and extraordinary” circumstances when a national emergency is declared.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the ruling, and was joined by conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett in addition to the high court's three liberal justices.

"The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope,” Roberts wrote. “In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.”

Previously, two lower courts, including the US Court of International Trade, sided with the businesses that sued the administration, saying the president had overstepped his authority when declaring a national emergency.

Roberts added that the 1977 law Trump relied on “falls short” of the Congressional approval required.