Hassett: Tariff ruling will not affect ongoing trade deals... 3 deals were ready as of last week

Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, expressed confidence that the Trump administration will succeed in reversing the recent court decision blocking its tariff policy, and revealed that three trade agreements are awaiting the president’s approval.

“President Trump always comes out ahead in these negotiations—because the facts are on our side,” Hassett said during an appearance Thursday on Mornings with Maria. “We’re right in saying the U.S. has been treated unfairly by other countries, and our tariffs are forcing them to negotiate.”

He criticized the judiciary's role in the matter, saying, “It’s unfortunate that people—like the judges—are attacking this effort. These activist judges are trying to disrupt important negotiations right when they’re gaining traction.” Hassett added that he is confident the administration’s appeal will lead to the ruling being overturned.

The comments came a day after the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by unilaterally imposing wide-ranging tariffs.

In its opinion, the court emphasized that the Constitution gives Congress sole authority to “lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises,” and to “regulate Commerce with foreign Nations.” The key legal question was whether the IEEPA allows the president to take over these powers and apply broad tariffs to imports from nearly every country.

The court concluded it does not: “The court does not interpret IEEPA as granting such sweeping authority and therefore sets aside the contested tariffs imposed under it.”

Despite the legal setback, Hassett downplayed the ruling’s practical effects. “This doesn’t impact our current trade talks at all,” he said, though he acknowledged it could cause “a few bumps in the road.”

He also disclosed that several trade deals are nearing completion. “By the end of last week, there were three agreements pretty much ready for the president’s sign-off,” Hassett said. “I’m not sure if those discussions have happened yet, but there are plenty of deals in progress, and those three seem very close.”