President Donald Trump on Sunday(February 22) warned trading partners against retreating from recently negotiated trade deals after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down his emergency tariffs, vowing to impose even steeper duties under alternative laws.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Mr Trump said countries attempting to “play games” following the court’s ruling would face “much higher” tariffs than those previously agreed. Although the court invalidated his duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), he argued the decision reaffirmed his authority to use other statutes “in a much more powerful” way.

He also floated the idea of imposing licence fees on trading partners, without providing details. The Office of the United States Trade Representative did not immediately comment on the proposal.

According to The Straits Times, the European Parliament on Feb 23 postponed a vote on a European Union trade deal with Washington after Mr Trump raised a temporary tariff on foreign imports to 15 per cent under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The tariff is due to take effect on Feb 24.

At the same time, US Customs and Border Protection said it would cease collecting the now-invalid IEEPA duties.

Markets reacted nervously. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.34 per cent in early trade, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each slipped 0.65 per cent amid renewed uncertainty over US trade policy.

The ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, reaffirmed the court’s authority to review presidential powers. Mr Trump criticized the justices, including two he appointed, and signalled further trade investigations under Section 301 could be launched in the coming weeks.

BOB Post