A fresh controversy has emerged after former US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 15% global tariff, triggering sharp legal and economic criticism. Indian-origin constitutional lawyer Neal Katyal argued that such a major trade decision cannot bypass Congress, stressing that taxation powers primarily rest with lawmakers under the US Constitution.

Katyal’s remarks followed a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down several earlier tariff actions by the Trump administration, stating that executive authority had been exceeded. He questioned the legal justification for invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, noting that the provision was designed for balance-of-payments crises rather than trade deficit concerns.

The proposed tariff, initially introduced as a temporary surcharge and later raised to its maximum permitted level, could impact multiple countries, including India, at a time when bilateral trade negotiations remain sensitive. Economists and policy experts have also weighed in, highlighting potential risks to global trade stability.

The debate now centres on constitutional procedure, economic consequences, and whether sweeping tariff measures should require legislative approval before reshaping international commerce.