Washington: The United States Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday that could determine the legality of the sweeping tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, a move with far-reaching consequences for both the U.S. economy and global trade.
The case represents a landmark challenge to the limits of presidential authority, centering on Trump’s unprecedented reliance on a 1977 federal statute, originally intended for national emergencies, to levy tariffs on a wide range of imported goods. Lower courts have previously ruled that this use of the law exceeded the president’s constitutional powers, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown at the nation’s highest court.
The legal challenge combines three separate lawsuits filed by affected businesses along with 12 U.S. states, predominantly led by Democrats, contesting the tariffs’ legitimacy. Advocates against the tariffs argue that the measures disrupt trade, inflate consumer prices, and bypass Congress’s legislative authority over commerce.
Trump has publicly urged the Supreme Court, which currently holds a 6-3 conservative majority, to uphold the tariffs, framing them as essential tools for national economic security and international negotiation leverage. “We would be defenseless, leading perhaps even to the ruination of our Nation,” he wrote on social media on Sunday, emphasizing the stakes he believes are involved.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that even if the Supreme Court rules against the administration, the tariffs might continue under alternative legal mechanisms, suggesting the government is preparing contingency strategies to maintain trade barriers.
Observers note that while the Supreme Court often takes months to deliver rulings after oral arguments, the Trump administration has requested expedited consideration, reflecting the economic urgency surrounding the case. Economists warn that these tariffs, if upheld, could contribute trillions of dollars to U.S. revenues over the next decade, while a rejection could reshape the country’s trade policies and presidential powers for years to come.
Oral arguments are scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. ET (1500 GMT), with live audio coverage available for public listeners. Legal experts and global markets alike will be watching closely as the Supreme Court tackles a case that tests the boundaries of executive power and the future of U.S. trade policy.