Washington, Feb 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) US President Donald Trump used an expansive and combative news conference to respond to a Supreme Court judgment that curtailed his use of a key tariff authority, turning what might have been a defensive moment into an aggressive reaffirmation of his trade doctrine.
Over more than an hour inside the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump attacked the apex court, dismissed Congressional critics, signalled higher tariffs ahead, defended his economic record, accused unnamed "foreign interests" of influencing justices, and framed tariffs not merely as trade tools but as instruments of diplomacy, border security, and national power.
His crowded news conference underscored how central tariffs remain to his presidency -- and how little the apex court's ruling appears to have moderated his approach.
Here are the comprehensive takeaways from the press conference:
- A new 10 per cent global tariff
Trump announced he would sign an executive order imposing "a 10 per cent global tariff under Section 122", adding to existing measures.
He emphasised that national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing Section 301 tariffs would "remain in place, fully in place and in full force and effect".
The move signalled not retreat, but a shift in legal strategy.
- Tariffs could go higher
When asked whether tariff rates could ultimately increase beyond current levels, Trump replied: "Potentially higher... It depends whatever we want them to be."
He added that under alternative statutes, "we can judge much more than I was charging," suggesting the Supreme Court's judgment might lead to broader tax duties.
- Emphasis on embargo powers
President Trump repeatedly stressed the scope of his authority beyond tariffs.
"I can embargo," he said.
"I can do anything I want."
He elaborated: "I'm allowed to destroy the country, but I can't charge them a little fee."
Though hyperbolic, the language highlighted President Trump's view that the court had affirmed sweeping executive power to restrict or halt trade entirely.
- Sharp attack on the Supreme Court
President Trump called the Apex court's judgment "deeply disappointing" and said he was "ashamed of certain members of the court".
He praised Justices Thomas, Alito and Kavanaugh for dissenting, citing their "strength and wisdom and love of our country".
Of other Supreme Court Justices, including some he appointed, President Trump said the decision was "an embarrassment to their families", though he declined to say whether he regretted nominating them.
- Allegations of foreign influence
In one of the most striking moments, President Trump asserted: "It's my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests."
Asked if he had evidence, he replied, "You're going to find out what?" but offered no specifics.
He suggested outside forces had "undue influence" and that the Supreme Court Justices might be affected "through fear or respect or friendships".
The allegation marked a significant rhetorical escalation against the Judiciary in the US.
- Dismissal of Congress
President Trump brushed aside suggestions that he should work with lawmakers to craft a new tariff framework.
"You don't need to -- it's already been approved," he said.
"I have the right to do tariffs. And I've always had the right to do tariffs."
The comment reflected President Trump's longstanding view that existing statutes grant the executive broad trade authority.
- Intraparty friction
Addressing the Republican critics who opposed elements of his tariff policy, President Trump acknowledged losing "three votes" but said they were "not good Republicans".
The US President emphasised party unity, noting that the vast majority of Republican lawmakers supported him.
- Refund uncertainty
The Supreme Court judgment left open the question of what happens to billions of dollars already collected under the challenged authority.
"They don't even discuss that point," President Trump said of the opinion.
He predicted the issue would "get litigated for the next two years", adding, "We'll end up being in court for the next five years."
- Tariffs as economic engine
Trump tied tariffs directly to economic performance, citing stock market milestones.
"Our stock market has just recently broken 50,000 on the Dow... and... broken 7,000 on the S&P," he said.
He pointed to jobs and inflation data, saying the January jobs report and consumer price numbers "beat expectations" and that "real wages are up".
Recounting a visit to a Georgia steel plant, President Trump said an executive told him, "Sir, I want to kiss you," because tariffs had revived the business.
- Tariffs funding farm aid
Trump said tariff revenue had funded domestic support programmes.
"Last week I gave them $12 billion out of tariff money," he said, referring to farmers.
- Tariffs as diplomatic leverage
President Trump again framed tariffs as foreign policy tools.
"Tariffs have likewise been used to end five of the eight wars that I settled," he said.
He described warning both sides of "a 200 per cent tariff," adding, "I did it largely with tariffs."
- India trade framework
Asked about a pending trade framework with India, President Trump said, "Nothing changes."
He added that "they'll be paying tariffs and we will not be paying tariffs", describing it as a reversal from prior arrangements.
- Fentanyl and China
President Trump said he had imposed "a 20 per cent tariff" on China "as a penalty for sending fentanyl in," claiming that fentanyl inflows were down "more than 30 per cent".
He credited tariffs alongside what he called a "strong border".
- Criticism of Europe
In a broader ideological pivot, President Trump said "Europe has gone woke" and warned that Europe was "getting killed" by energy and immigration policies.
The comments reflected how he links trade disputes to larger cultural and geopolitical narratives.
- Federal Reserve critique
President Trump criticised the Federal Reserve Chair as "very incompetent" and said that interest rates "should come down very substantially", saying the United States should pay "the lowest interest rates on the planet".
- Assertion of "Certainty"
Despite the legal setback, President Trump repeatedly framed the Supreme Court judgment as clarifying rather than constraining executive power.
"There will no longer be any doubt," he said.
"Great certainty has been brought back to the economy of the United States and actually the economy of the world."
The news conference illustrated the US President's instinct to convert institutional pushback into political momentum.
Rather than tempering his tariff agenda after the apex court's decision, President Trump presented it as validation of a broader strategy -- one that blends economic nationalism, diplomatic pressure and expansive executive authority.
The message from the White House was unmistakable: the tariff campaign is not winding down -- it may just be entering a new phase.
Source: IANS
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