'We will win this in court’: Trump admin eyes Supreme Court as White House vows to fight tariff ruling

US President Donald Trump has secured a temporary reprieve in his battle to maintain wide-ranging tariffs after a federal appeals court on Thursday allowed his administration to continue imposing the duties, at least for now, under emergency powers. 

The development comes as the administration moves to challenge a series of legal rulings that struck down much of Trump’s key trade policy agenda.

Earlier on Thursday, a federal judge ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority in invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to declare a national emergency and levy tariffs on imports from nearly every country. This followed a broader ruling a day earlier by a three-judge panel at the US Court of International Trade, which similarly found the president's actions in violation of the law.

White House hits back, plans to move SC

The White House swiftly responded with plans to escalate the matter. “We will win this battle in court,” White House Press Secretary Karine Leavitt said at a press briefing, adding that the administration is working to “tackle rogue judges.”

White House lawyers have filed an emergency appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, seeking to block the lower court ruling from taking effect. The Trump administration has also signaled its intent to take the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Global trade allies still on board, says Leavitt

Despite the legal uncertainty, the White House insists global partners remain committed to trade talks with the United States. “The US trade ambassador had heard from countries that morning confirming their intention to continue working with the United States,” Leavitt said.

She added that President Trump spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday to discuss tariff-related issues. Cabinet members, including Secretary Lutnick, Secretary Bessent, and Ambassador Jamieson Greer, have also been engaging with international counterparts to reaffirm the US commitment to negotiations.

India trade talks ahead; former official slams US stance

Meanwhile, the trade front remains active. A US delegation is scheduled to visit India on June 5-6 for the next round of talks on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The proposed deal could mark a new chapter in economic ties between the two nations.

However, Ray Vickery, former US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development, cautioned against aggressive tactics. “The trade agreement between India and the US can't happen with Washington's ‘bullying approach,’” he told ANI.

“In Trump, 1.0, there was a negotiation that came close to getting a freer trade, not a free trade arrangement between the United States and India. One hopes that that would happen, but it's not going to happen with this bullying approach, which the Trump administration has indicated.”

On geopolitical ties, Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for mediating peace between India and Pakistan, stating the US offered “a lot of trade” in return. India, however, maintains that its armed forces independently resolved the hostilities through military operations and direct negotiation with Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).

Vickery further slammed Trump’s tariff philosophy, stating, “The Trump administration has a misunderstanding in regard to trade deficits. Trade deficits are not necessarily something imposed just by unfair trade practices by another country, but they have to do with the United States' own saving and spending habits.”