Business
SC verdict on Trump tariffs: Dissent highlights India in Russia oil context – The Times of India
India found itself directly referenced in a landmark US Supreme Court judgment limiting presidential tariff authority, after justices examined how tariffs imposed under emergency powers were used as tools of foreign policy– including pressure linked to Russian oil imports.The ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorise a US president to impose tariffs, significantly narrowing executive power over trade policy even when tied to diplomatic negotiations.
While the majority struck down the tariffs, the Court’s dissent highlighted India as an example of how such measures had been deployed in foreign affairs.India cited in tariff diplomacy linked to Russia-Ukraine conflictIn his dissenting opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh described how the US administration used tariffs during sensitive geopolitical negotiations.“As with tariffs on foreign imports historically, the IEEPA tariffs on foreign imports at issue in this case implicate foreign affairs,” the dissent noted.According to the judgment, the US government argued that tariffs had been leveraged in negotiations with major trading partners.“The Government says that the tariffs have helped make certain foreign markets more accessible to American businesses and have contributed to trade deals with foreign nations worth trillions of dollars.”India was specifically mentioned in connection with US efforts tied to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.“To that end, on August 6, 2025, the President imposed tariffs on India for ‘directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.’”The dissent further recorded that the tariffs were later eased, noting “And on February 6, 2026, the President reduced the tariffs on India because, according to the Government, India had ‘committed to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.’”
Foreign policy versus constitutional limits
The dissent argued that tariffs have historically functioned as instruments of diplomacy and national security, warning that courts should not restrict presidential authority in foreign affairs using doctrines typically applied to domestic regulation.“Presidential actions pursuant to broad congressional authorizations related to foreign affairs often have long historical pedigrees,” the dissent stated, arguing that statutes should be interpreted “as written, not with a thumb on the scale against the President.”Justice Kavanaugh contended that applying the “major questions doctrine” — which requires clear congressional approval for sweeping executive action — represented a novel judicial intervention in foreign policy decision-making.
Majority rejects foreign affairs justification
The Supreme Court’s majority, however, rejected the argument that foreign policy considerations expand tariff authority.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that tariffs are fundamentally a form of taxation and therefore fall within Congress’s exclusive constitutional powers under Article I.The Court concluded that even emergency statutes dealing with international threats cannot transfer core taxing authority to the president without explicit language from Congress.The justices emphasised that no president had previously used IEEPA to impose tariffs in its nearly five-decade history, reinforcing their conclusion that Congress never intended to delegate such sweeping authority.
Greggs is launching a chicken version of its customer favourite sausage and vegan rolls in a permanent addition to its menu.
The Chicken Roll – described by the high street baker as “seasoned chicken wrapped in layers of crisp, golden, glazed puff pastry” contains 305 calories and will cost £1.35 when it goes on sale on Thursday.
It follows the Sausage Roll and the pork free Vegan Roll.
To celebrate the final launch of the “trilogy”, Greggs is allowing customers the chance to be among the first to taste the new roll with a 20-minute slot between 3.30pm and 9pm on Wednesday (April 8) at a pop-up location at 15 Bateman Street, in London’s Soho.
Places will be given on a first-come first-served basis but, in a nod to the trilogy theme, guests must arrive as part of a trio of friends or family.
Visitors will be able to pair their three complimentary rolls with a free chicken-themed cocktail or mocktail.
A Greggs spokeswoman said: “They say the best things come in threes, and our iconic roll trilogy is no exception.
“We can’t wait for our customers to experience the Chicken Roll as the ultimate headline act of our flaky franchise.”
Over the past year, Greggs has come under pressure from cautious shoppers affected by the rising cost of living, higher tax and labour costs, and the growing use of weight-loss treatments.
Last month, the Newcastle-based firm reported that statutory pre-tax profits fell by 17.9% to £167.4 million for the year to December 27, compared with a year earlier.
It also told shareholders that total sales grew by 6.8% to £2.15 billion over the year, with like-for-like growth buoyed by its continued store opening programme.
Greggs said it had 121 net store openings in 2025, expanding its shop estate to 2,739 locations by the end of the year.
It is targeting around 120 further openings this year as it highlighted ambitions to grow to “significantly more than 3,000 UK shops over longer term”.
Applied Nutrition is significantly expanding its product range to cater to customers using weight loss drugs, following a substantial increase in demand over the past year.
The health and wellness brand said it has identified a key business opportunity stemming from the sharp rise in Britons using GLP-1 treatments, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.
The London-listed company, which already offers GLP-1-friendly high-protein ready meals launched in late 2025, confirmed that new products specifically designed for this market will be introduced later this year.
“The GLP-1 user is a growing customer. We see this as a consumer at the start of their weight loss journey who is now looking at how the medication can help them,” Thomas Ryder, founder and chief executive of the Liverpool-based firm, said.
“There is an opportunity, as those customers often need supplements and need smaller portions. I think this is a catalyst for the health and wellness space if we have that consumer in mind.
“We do have a number of products we will bring to market in this area because we do see that area growing.”
At least 1.6 million Britons have used weight loss jabs in the past year, according to research by University College London.
Applied Nutrition has reported strong growth, driven by targeting new customer opportunities and diversifying its sales channels, including expansion into UK retail stores.
In March, the company announced robust financial results, with pre-tax profits soaring by 77.1% to £20.9 million for the six months ending 31 January, compared to the previous year.
Sales also saw a significant uplift, rising by 56.5 per cent to £74.5 million over the same half-year period.
However, the firm cautioned that sales volumes in the Middle East are expected to be affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Applied Nutrition said it still expects to meet revenue targets for the year of around £140 million.
The company added: “Importantly, we have managed similar disruption in the past, supported by the agility of our operations.
“In this instance, we are working closely with customers to adapt our routes into the region and logistics arrangements to safeguard continued supply to those customers.”
Business
Trump administration finalizes better-than-feared Medicare Advantage payment rate in boost to health insurers
Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz speaks during an event sponsored by the Action for Progress Coalition, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 2, 2026.
Al Drago | Reuters
The Trump administration on Monday finalized a 2027 payment rate increase to privately run Medicare plans that was far bigger than initially proposed, a boost to health insurer stocks.
The government will increase average Medicare Advantage payments by 2.48%, or more than $13 billion, in 2027, according to a release from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Trump administration in January proposed a payment rate hike of 0.09%, which pummeled shares of insurers that run those plans.
Shares of UnitedHealth and CVS Health rose more than 9% in after-hours trading on Monday. Meanwhile, Humana‘s stock jumped around 12%.
“Medicare Advantage and Part D should work for the people who rely on them,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in a release. “These updates keep coverage affordable and ensure patients get real value from their plans.”
The closely watched government payment rate determines how much insurers can charge for monthly premiums and plan benefits they offer and, ultimately, their profits.
Medicare Advantage is a privately run health insurance plan contracted by Medicare. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in such plans, enticed by lower monthly premiums and extra benefits not covered by traditional Medicare, according to health policy research firm KFF.
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