New Delhi has responded cautiously to the recent US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated former President Donald Trump’s broad reciprocal tariffs. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry stated on Saturday that India has taken note of the verdict and is carefully assessing its implications before issuing a detailed response.
In an official statement, the ministry said it is studying the Supreme Court’s judgment, along with the subsequent announcements made by the US administration, to understand the possible impact on bilateral trade and policy frameworks.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also addressed the issue, confirming that the Indian government will thoroughly examine the 6-3 ruling before making any formal statement. He indicated that either the Commerce Ministry or the Ministry of External Affairs would respond once a detailed review is completed.
The US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose sweeping reciprocal tariffs. The court determined that the emergency law could not be used to implement broad trade restrictions without explicit approval from Congress. The judgment limits the executive branch’s ability to impose large-scale tariffs under emergency provisions.
Despite the setback, former President Trump maintained that the trade relationship between India and the United States would remain unaffected. Addressing the media after the verdict, he stated that tariff arrangements between the two nations continue to favor the United States, reiterating his long-standing position that India previously imposed higher duties on American goods.
Trump also renewed his claim that India had reduced its purchases of Russian oil at his request as part of broader geopolitical efforts related to the Ukraine conflict. However, India has not officially confirmed that any adjustments in its energy imports were made in response to such requests. New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy procurement decisions are based on national interest and market dynamics.
While the Supreme Court ruling invalidates the use of IEEPA for imposing sweeping reciprocal tariffs, it does not automatically eliminate all trade measures introduced during Trump’s presidency. Trump has indicated that alternative statutory mechanisms, including Section 122, could still be used to pursue tariff actions.
For now, both Washington and New Delhi appear to be adopting a measured approach, carefully evaluating legal, economic, and diplomatic implications before making further moves.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
