Washington, Feb 21: Indian-origin lawyer Neal Katyal said the US Supreme Court verdict striking down key tariff measures imposed by President Donald Trump reaffirmed that the president does not have unlimited authority under the law.
Speaking after the ruling, Katyal said the judgment made it clear that a president cannot act without legal limits and must operate within powers granted by Congress. He described the decision as an important affirmation of constitutional principles and the rule of law.
Katyal had represented a group of businesses that challenged the tariff measures, arguing that the administration had exceeded its authority by imposing sweeping duties without proper legislative approval. The court ruled in favour of the challengers, dealing a major setback to the administration’s tariff policy.
He said the case was about preserving the balance of power under the Constitution and ensuring that major economic decisions remain subject to legal scrutiny. According to Katyal, the ruling reinforced the principle that tariff powers rest with Congress and cannot be exercised unilaterally by the executive.
The decision struck down tariffs that had been imposed under emergency economic powers, with the court holding that such authority did not extend to broad trade duties. The verdict is expected to have significant implications for US trade policy and the scope of presidential powers in economic matters.
Katyal described the outcome as a victory for businesses that had challenged the tariffs and said the judgment underscored the importance of constitutional checks and balances in government.
