Donald Trump unleashed on trade adversaries Monday, declaring on Truth Social that congressional approval is obsolete for imposing sky-high tariffs. ‘Looters of America for decades: brace for tariffs tougher than anything before,’ he proclaimed.
This escalatory tone emerges post-Supreme Court reversal of his tariffs, a move that scuttled India’s Washington trade mission. The judiciary’s intervention bred policy limbo, freezing bilateral momentum.
Trump ridiculed the decision as ‘ridiculous and sloppily made,’ insisting pre-existing laws grant him full tariff latitude. ‘No need to beg Congress – it’s locked in,’ he stated.
Trading partners eyeing defiance face ‘much more severe’ repercussions, he cautioned. Though the administration offers no formal response, officials stress discreet engagements continue.
For context, India’s team was poised for interim pact talks to dial back export penalties and surge U.S. import access. Post-consultations, they opted to defer amid tariff haze, per insiders; rescheduling awaits resolution.
Trump’s tariff tenacity underscores a broader America First resurgence, challenging global norms. Stakeholders from Wall Street to New Delhi monitor warily, as this could cascade into widespread economic shifts, inflation pressures, and realigned alliances.