Trump administration asks Supreme Court to rule on tariff authority

The Trump administration has made a plea to the Supreme Court to expedite a decision on whether President Donald Trump has the authority to impose tariffs under federal emergency law. This comes after a federal appeals court ruled 7-4 that the majority of Trump’s tariffs were illegal under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The ruling allowed the tariffs to remain in place until the case is resolved, but many states and small businesses have challenged the tariffs, claiming they are causing significant economic harm. Jeffrey Schwab, an attorney with the Liberty Justice Center, stated, “These unlawful tariffs are inflicting serious harm on small businesses and jeopardizing their survival.”

On the other hand, the Trump administration argues that striking down the tariffs could have severe economic consequences. They pointed out that the levies have raised $159 billion since late August, more than doubling from the previous year. The administration also warned that if the tariffs are struck down, the U.S. Treasury may have to refund billions that have already been collected.

While Congress has the power to set tariffs, many lawmakers have delegated this authority to the White House over the years. President Joe Biden has left some of Trump’s tariffs in place, including those on steel, aluminum, autos, and China.

The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision soon on whether they will take up the case directly. This could lead to a significant ruling on the limits of presidential power over trade. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.