U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticised a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down his tariff policy.

In his State of the Union address, Mr Trump called the 6-3 decision “unfortunate” and “disappointing.”

The ruling invalidated tariffs imposed under an emergency law without congressional approval.

Soon after the decision, Mr Trump announced new global tariffs of 10 per cent on imports, later raising the rate to 15 per cent, citing Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act as the legal basis.

The Trade Act allows the president to impose temporary trade measures for up to 150 days to address balance-of-payments concerns, after which congressional approval is required.

Mr Trump defended the new measures as more effective and said additional congressional action would not be necessary.

However, with narrow Republican majorities in both chambers and midterm elections approaching in November, further debate over tariff policy is expected. 

(dpa/NAN)