The Internationalism

Internationalism No. 85, March 2026 Page 12 From the series Chronicles of the new American nationalism The Supreme Court has ruled that the emergency tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are illegal, striking down one of his key policies and affirming Congress's powers over foreign trade taxation. The group of companies and dozen States that had challenged the presidential decision have won their legal battle against the federal government. The ruling represents a severe political setback for the president, formally recognises the imbalance represented by his trade policy, and opens up a political battle to redirect it. As we write, just days after the ruling, Trump has already announced that he will resort to other legislative measures. The question remains open as to the extent to which the Supreme Court and Congress will balance the tariff weapon. Major questions doctrine The ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts and approv...

Internationalism No. 78-79, August-September 2025 Page 11 From the series Chronicles of the new American nationalism The tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on allies, partners and opponents of the United States have opened a phase of negotiations with the affected countries and caused reactions from some key States. The legal opposition from almost all areas of the US poses a test: whether States, courts, and Congress can influence trade policy and constrain the expansion of executive powers. Amid conflicting rulings, the tariffs have been reinstated – an outcome that, The New York Times remarks, has “left Washington, Wall Street, and much of the world trying to discern the future of US trade policy”. California’s dispute with the federal government has expanded to immigration policy and the domestic use of military force. The political, economic, and power struggles overlap with the electoral dimension. The establishment remains critical of or ...