US Comm Secy Lutnick Defends Trump's Tariff Powers, Cites India
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended President Trump's use of emergency tariff powers, stating they were used to urge India to stop buying Russian oil and help end the Ukraine war. Lutnick argued these measures protect America and the world, as the Supreme Court examines the legality of Trump's actions.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has publicly defended President Trump's use of emergency tariff powers, asserting that these measures were employed as a diplomatic tool to encourage India to cease purchasing Russian oil, with the aim of helping to end the war in Ukraine. Lutnick emphasized that these powers, derived from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), are crucial for maintaining US global influence and ensuring a safer world. He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would uphold the President's authority, despite legal challenges questioning the legality of using IEEPA for imposing sweeping tariffs. India has described the US tariffs as unfair and unjustified, maintaining that its energy policy is driven by national interests, particularly the need for affordable and secure energy supplies. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on countries like India is lawful, with justices from both sides expressing skepticism about the administration's interpretation of the law.
