India, Feb. 24 -- Hours after the US Supreme Court rebuked President Donald Trump for his tariffs, and ruled that the latter exceeded his authority, the president imposed another round of tariffs. The new order used the Section 122 of the Trade Act, 1974, a rarely used law that allows short-term duties, but requires an approval of the Congress in 150 days. How is this possible when the apex court concluded that Trump cannot use executive powers without the approval of the legislature? The short answer: the decision does not dismantle the tariff regime. It reshapes it, closes the huge legal door, but leaves open a few small windows.

In essence, the Supreme Court responded to a narrow debate. It said that the president does not have the po...