Trump Administration Links India Tariffs to Ukraine Peace in Supreme Court Filing.
The Trump administration has turned to the US Supreme Court to challenge a federal appeals court ruling that declared most of his sweeping tariffs illegal. In its filing, the administration argued that the tariffs are “a crucial aspect of our push for peace” in Ukraine.
“The President recently authorised IEEPA tariffs against India for purchasing Russian energy products, addressing a national emergency regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine,” the filing stated.
On August 27, the US doubled tariffs on India to 50 percent—half as a penalty for importing Russian oil, and half under Trump’s “America First” agenda aimed at reducing the trade deficit. The filing framed the tariffs as a measure of national strength: “With tariffs, the US is a rich nation; without them, it is a poor nation… America is strong, financially viable, and respected again.”
Last week, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that many of Trump’s tariffs were illegal, noting that the president had exceeded his emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, the court allowed the tariffs to remain temporarily until mid-October to give the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Trump slammed the appeals court ruling on Truth Social, calling it “incorrect” and vowed to fight back “with the help” of the Supreme Court. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that suspending the tariffs could create “dangerous diplomatic embarrassment,” underscoring the high stakes for trade and foreign policy.
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