During a Thursday interview with Newsmax TV’s Greg Kelly, Vice President J.D. Vance defended President Donald Trump’s assertive tariff strategy, describing it as a necessary reaction to a national emergency concerning U.S. supply chains.
Vance contended that foreign governments—some of which are adversarial—have posed threats to the availability of essential goods such as pharmaceutical ingredients and components vital for manufacturing. “If these governments are threatening to cut us off from that stuff, that is, by definition, a national emergency,” Vance stated.
This discussion arose following a recent legal conflict regarding Trump’s implementation of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). A federal trade court had initially blocked the tariffs, asserting that Trump lacked the necessary authority; however, a federal appeals court has since temporarily reinstated them while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
Vance underscored that the president possesses extensive discretion in matters of foreign policy and economic protection during emergencies. He argued that even if courts present legal challenges, the president retains the ability to act decisively to protect American industries and consumers from unfair trade practices and foreign interference. “The president has very broad discretion to fight back, to bring American industry back home, and to make American consumers protected and much safer,” Vance emphasized.
He cautioned that underestimating these supply threats could undermine U.S. resilience and jeopardize national security. Trump echoed these views on Truth Social, criticizing the court’s decision and urging the Supreme Court to restore full presidential authority over emergency economic actions.
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