During a Thursday interview with Newsmax TV’s Greg Kelly, Vice President J.D. Vance defended President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, calling it a necessary response to a national emergency involving U.S. supply chains. Vance argued that foreign governments—some adversarial—have threatened to disrupt access to critical goods like pharmaceutical ingredients and components essential to manufacturing. “If these governments are threatening to cut us off from that stuff, that is, by definition, a national emergency,” Vance said. The discussion followed a recent legal dispute over Trump’s use of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). A federal trade court initially blocked the tariffs, claiming Trump lacked authority, but a federal appeals court has since temporarily reinstated them while the legal process continues.

Vance emphasized that the president holds broad discretion in foreign policy and economic protection during emergencies. He maintained that even if courts raise legal objections, the president can still act decisively to shield American industries and consumers from unfair trade practices and foreign manipulation.

“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 asserted. He warned that underestimating these supply threats could weaken U.S. resilience and endanger national security. Trump echoed these sentiments on Truth Social, criticizing the court ruling and urging the Supreme Court to restore full presidential authority over emergency economic measures.