WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans experienced a brief moment of respite Friday from one of their biggest disagreements with the Trump administration, but that relief quickly evaporated.
The nation’s highest court overturned a major part of President Donald Trump’s worldwide tariff program, determining that Congress holds constitutional authority over tax imposition. Republican lawmakers initially responded to Friday morning’s ruling with cautious statements, with some offering praise, while GOP leadership indicated willingness to collaborate with Trump on future tariff policies.
However, by afternoon, Trump declared his intention to bypass Congress entirely, announcing a new worldwide 10% import tax. He’s implementing this under legislation that limits such tariffs to 150 days and has never been utilized in this manner previously. This choice could significantly impact the global economy while forcing Republicans to continue defending Trump’s tariff policies through the approaching midterm elections.
“I have the right to do tariffs, and I’ve always had the right to do tariffs,” Trump declared during a press conference, emphasizing his independence from congressional approval.
Trade tariffs represent one of the rare policy areas where Republican-led Congress has challenged Trump. Both chambers have previously approved measures criticizing tariffs imposed on trading allies like Canada. This issue also stands out as one where GOP legislators, raised in a traditionally free-trade party, have openly criticized Trump’s economic approach.
“The empty merits of sweeping trade wars with America’s friends were evident long before today’s decision,” former longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell stated, noting that tariffs increase housing costs and harm industries crucial to Kentucky.
Democrats, seeking congressional control, plan to adopt McConnell’s argument. During Friday’s press conference, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated Trump’s new tariffs “will still raise people’s costs and they will hurt the American people as much as his old tariffs did.”
Schumer urged Republicans to prevent Trump from implementing the 10% global tariff. Democrats also demanded refunds for consumers affected by the Supreme Court-overturned tariffs.
“The American people paid for these tariffs and the American people should get their money back,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., posted on social media.
This situation reinforces Democrats’ key midterm message: Trump has failed to reduce living costs and has increased prices through tariffs.
Medium-sized American companies have absorbed import taxes by raising customer prices, reducing workforce, or accepting decreased profits, according to JPMorganChase Institute research.
Friday’s Supreme Court ruling clearly established that most justices believe Congress exclusively holds constitutional tariff authority. Nevertheless, Trump immediately issued an executive order referencing the Trade Act of 1974, which allows presidential temporary import taxes during “large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits” or similar international payment issues. This authority remains unused and legally untested.
Republicans have occasionally cautioned Trump about potential economic consequences of his tariff proposals. However, before Trump’s “Liberation Day” global tariffs last April, Republican leadership avoided directly opposing the president.
Some GOP lawmakers supported the new tariff approach, revealing generational divisions among Republicans, with younger members strongly backing Trump’s strategy. Instead of following traditional free trade principles, they advocate “America First” protectionism, hoping to revitalize American manufacturing.
Ohio freshman Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno criticized Friday’s Supreme Court decision and urged GOP colleagues to “codify the tariffs that had made our country the hottest country on earth!”
Meanwhile, some Republican tariff opponents celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling. Rep. Don Bacon, an administration critic not seeking reelection, posted on social media that “Congress must stand on its own two feet, take tough votes and defend its authorities.”
Bacon anticipated increased Republican resistance. He and several other GOP members recently forced a House vote on Trump’s Canada tariffs. Following that measure’s passage, Trump threatened political retaliation against Republicans opposing his tariff plans.
