WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday invalidated most of the global tariffs President Donald Trump imposed last year, delivering a sharp rebuke to his trade policies. In a 6-3 decision, the justices upheld a lower court’s finding that Trump overstepped by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify the levies.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion. He wrote that the administration claimed an “extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope.” The court found no statutory basis for applying the act to tariffs in this way. “The Trump administration points to no statute” where Congress previously endorsed such an interpretation, Roberts added.

The ruling ends a legal battle that began when a federal district court in May declared the tariffs unlawful. That decision prompted a temporary reinstatement by a federal appeals court on May 30, keeping the duties in place while litigation continued. The administration appealed directly to the Supreme Court, which fast-tracked the case.

Not all of Trump’s tariffs face elimination. Sector-specific duties on steel and aluminum, imposed under separate statutes like Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, remain unaffected. Those measures targeted imports from multiple nations and withstood earlier challenges.

The struck-down tariffs hit dozens of countries in April, including India, Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Trump cited high foreign barriers to U.S. goods as justification, framing the levies as retaliation. Several nations negotiated reductions after bilateral deals. India, for instance, agreed to lower its duties on U.S. motorcycles and whiskey in exchange for tariff relief.

Business groups and importers hailed the decision. The American Apparel & Footwear Association called it a victory for consumers, estimating the tariffs had added billions in costs passed to U.S. buyers. Importers of electronics, apparel and auto parts from affected countries now anticipate refunds or adjustments.

Dissenting justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch argued the majority unduly limited presidential flexibility in trade emergencies. Thomas wrote that the act grants broad powers to address unusual threats, including economic ones from unfair trade practices.

The ruling’s immediate scope covers tariffs applied under the emergency act declaration Trump issued in 2019, tied to national security and trade imbalances. Legal experts expect further clarity on implementation. Lower courts will handle refund claims and any lingering enforcement issues.

Trump responded on Twitter, calling the decision “a disaster for American workers” and vowing legislative fixes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the outcome, saying it restores Congress’s constitutional role over tariffs.

Markets reacted mildly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.5% Friday afternoon, while the U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies. Analysts predict minimal disruption given prior negotiations that scaled back many levies.

This case highlights ongoing tensions between executive trade authority and congressional oversight. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act, enacted amid Cold War crises, has supported sanctions and asset freezes but rarely tariffs. Friday’s ruling narrows its potential uses in trade disputes.