Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Monday, signaling that countries attempting to exploit last week's Supreme Court decision against his administration's emergency tariffs could face significantly higher tariffs. The Supreme Court's ruling marked a major setback for Trump's trade policy, which had previously utilized the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify country-specific tariffs and other duties.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump took to social media, specifically Truth Social, to express his discontent with the court's decision. He declared that any nation attempting to "play games" with the ruling, particularly those that have "Ripped Off" the United States for extended periods, would encounter harsher tariffs than those previously agreed upon. Trump's post concluded with a warning: "BUYER BEWARE!!!"

The Supreme Court's decision against the IEEPA tariffs has sparked concerns about its potential effects on bilateral trade and investment agreements that the Trump administration had negotiated using these duties as a key bargaining tool. In response, the administration is moving to replace the invalidated tariffs with alternative duties, utilizing different legal frameworks.

Trump announced plans to implement a temporary 15 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. This provision grants the president the power to impose import restrictions, including tariffs and import quotas. Additionally, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer disclosed intentions to conduct investigations under Section 301 of the same act, which empowers the U.S. government to investigate and address unfair foreign trade practices through tariffs or other measures.

In another social media post, Trump contended that, as president, he does not need to seek Congressional approval for tariffs, asserting that the necessary legal measures had already been established long ago. The Supreme Court ruling emphasized that the IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs without "clear congressional authorization."

Trump has been utilizing tariffs as a strategy to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, bolster domestic manufacturing and foreign investments, and increase federal revenue in anticipation of the midterm elections, which are viewed as a crucial indicator of public sentiment toward his administration.