WASHINGTON 

US congressional Democrats on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to strike down most of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

In a 6-3 ruling, the court on Friday said that Trump exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs using a law reserved for a national emergency.

The decision halts Trump’s broad reciprocal tariffs, including those levied on Canada, China, and Mexico, which he said were intended to curb the flow of illegal narcotics into the US, also citing various other reasons. But the levies drew a broad national backlash, with businesses and consumers accusing the president of abandoning his pledge to prioritize bringing down prices.

"A victory for the wallets of every American consumer. Trump’s illegal tariff tax just collapsed,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on US social media company X.

“He tried to govern by decree and stuck families with the bill. Enough chaos. End the trade war,” Schumer added, referring to the chaos in international trade over the ever-shifting tariff regime.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries hailed the ruling striking down the "harmful" tariffs as a "big victory" for the American people.

"And another crushing defeat for the wannabe King," said Jeffries.

Raphael Warnock, a senator for the crucial swing state of Georgia, also praised the ruling.

"Sadly, this President is absolutely dedicated to making you pay these taxes. He's going to try other ways to keep them in place. I will continue voting to block Trump's reckless tariffs in the Senate," he said.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen also welcomed the decision, calling Trump's tariffs “an unconstitutional tax on the American people,” hitting back at Trump’s controversial claim that other countries, not US consumers, pay the tariffs.

"Over the last year, working people paid an average of $1,000 more because of these tariffs. And Trump has no plan to put that money back in your wallet," he said.

Progressive Democratic leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal, for her part, said only Congress has the power to impose taxes, which includes Trump's "reckless tariffs."

In the 170-page ruling, the court said the Constitution "very clearly" gives Congress – not the president – the authority to levy taxes, including tariffs.