Washington: The United States Supreme Court has struck down former President Donald Trump’s broad global tariffs, ruling that he did not have the legal authority to impose them under emergency powers.

In a closely watched decision, the court found that the law used to justify the tariffs did not grant the president the power to introduce sweeping trade levies without clear approval from Congress. The majority opinion reaffirmed that authority over taxation and tariffs rests primarily with the legislative branch.

The tariffs, introduced as part of Trump’s trade strategy, had targeted several major trading partners, including China, Canada and Mexico. The ruling effectively invalidates key elements of those measures and could open the door to further legal and economic consequences.

Trump criticised the decision and signalled that he would explore alternative legal routes to maintain trade pressure. However, legal analysts say the judgment represents a significant check on executive power in matters of economic policy.

The verdict is expected to have wide-ranging implications for US trade policy and the balance of authority between Congress and the White House.