President Donald Trump's use of sweeping tariffs faced sharp questioning at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, in a case with major implications for the president's agenda and the global economy. A majority of justices, including several conservatives, expressed doubts about the White House's justification of the import duties, which the president has said are necessary to restore America's manufacturing base and fix its trade imbalance.
The measures are being challenged by a number of small businesses and a group of states, which contend that the president has overstepped his authority in imposing the levies, which are in effect a tax. America's top court - which has a 6-3 conservative majority - usually takes months to reach big decisions, but many expect it to move faster in this case, which is also seen as the first major test of the Trump administration's push to expand presidential power.
Many justices questioned the necessity of imposing tariffs on multiple countries. If the Trump administration loses, it could have to refund billions of dollars collected from tariffs. The White House's representatives prepared for contingency plans, indicating that they see this court's ruling as vital.
This case centers on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump invoked to justify imposing tariffs by claiming threats to national security and the economy. However, opponents argued that using this law for tariffs deviates from its intended purpose.
Chief Justice John Roberts raised concerns over the implications of allowing the president broad authority to impose tariffs. Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned the potential for Congress to relinquish its regulatory powers entirely. Overall, the justices' inquiries reflect a struggle to define the extent of executive power in trade agreements, particularly regarding tariffs versus taxes.
The measures are being challenged by a number of small businesses and a group of states, which contend that the president has overstepped his authority in imposing the levies, which are in effect a tax. America's top court - which has a 6-3 conservative majority - usually takes months to reach big decisions, but many expect it to move faster in this case, which is also seen as the first major test of the Trump administration's push to expand presidential power.
Many justices questioned the necessity of imposing tariffs on multiple countries. If the Trump administration loses, it could have to refund billions of dollars collected from tariffs. The White House's representatives prepared for contingency plans, indicating that they see this court's ruling as vital.
This case centers on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump invoked to justify imposing tariffs by claiming threats to national security and the economy. However, opponents argued that using this law for tariffs deviates from its intended purpose.
Chief Justice John Roberts raised concerns over the implications of allowing the president broad authority to impose tariffs. Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned the potential for Congress to relinquish its regulatory powers entirely. Overall, the justices' inquiries reflect a struggle to define the extent of executive power in trade agreements, particularly regarding tariffs versus taxes.
