The US President was said to have gone “ballistic” behind closed doors after the latest Supreme Court ruling – which has been described as the first major challenge to his authority.
America’s final arbiter declared in a 6-3 ruling on Friday that most of Donald Trump’s tariffs slapped onto imports entering the US were illegal – a judgement which the President has slapped down as “disgraceful”.
The new duties will be invoked under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, but can only last around 150 days. Any extension will require congressional approval.
Soon after, the Republican held a press conference to announce a 10 per cent global tariff – and brazenly declared: “I can do whatever I want.”
Mr Trump added: “The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.
“The Democrats in the court are thrilled, but they will automatically vote no, they’re an automatic no. Just like in Congress, they’re an automatic no.
“They’re against anything that makes America strong, healthy and great again. They also are a frankly disgrace to our nation.”
Speaking to GB News, Director General at the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade Marco Forgione indicated the President opened up about how he thought the President would be handling the news – and set out the White House’s backup plan in the face of such a challenge.
The US President was believed to be furious at the latest challenge to his presidential power
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He told presenter Dawn Neesom: “It’s clear he’s really angry at the judgement decision by the Supreme Court.
“But I think the fact that they had a plan in place indicates that they suspected that that was what’s going to happen.
“This is just another step on President Trump’s very determined approach to implementing both America First and most importantly, to unpick the global multilateral system.”
Mr Trump’s America First programme includes a series of domestic and foreign policy designed to serve specifically in the interests of the nation’s citizens.
Mr Forgione further forecast a series of “intense negotiation” between global states attempting to unpick what the tariff means for their country – and what will happen after its temporary tenure of 150 days.
LATEST ON TRUMP’S TARIFFS:
Donald Trump announced the global tariff on Friday
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He added: “From all the conversations we’ve had, he very much didn’t keep a lid on it when the press weren’t in the room. I think he really went ballistic.”
Asked at the press briefing about that time limit, Mr Trump said: “We have the right to do pretty much what we want to do.”
While the court’s ruling brings “absolute clarity” regarding presidential power over general trade tariffs, this “doesn’t mean the tariffs have gone away”, Mr Forgione said.
He told the People’s Channel: “Indeed, President Trump has restated that his favourite word remains tariffs. So he will be imposing them.”
The international trade expert set out negotiations are likely set to take place for what is to happen after the 150 days are up – with trade being deployed as a geopolitical tool.
He further emphasised the looming “threat of significant additional tariffs on particular products, particular components and indeed particular nations in order to exert that America First agenda”.
Following the court’s ruling, a Government spokesman confirmed British officials would work with the White House to “understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the UK and the rest of the world”.
He added the UK “enjoys the lowest reciprocal tariffs globally, and under any scenario we expect our privileged trading position with the US to continue”.
However, British businesses were soothed – being assured they would be supported whilegbn further details about the tariffs are announced.
“Under any scenario, we expect our privileged trading position with the US to continue and will work with the administration to understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the UK and the rest of the world,” he said.
