US Supreme Court to review Trump tariff authority in November

The US Supreme Court will hear arguments in November on whether President Donald Trump had the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under a 1977 emergency law, according to a court document released yesterday, reported German press agency dpa.

The move comes after a federal appeals court ruled that Trump did not have the authority to invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy tariffs on imports from dozens of countries.

The court said tariff-setting is a core responsibility of the US Congress. The ruling is not due to take effect until Oct 14, giving the government time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The case concerns country-specific tariffs first announced by Trump in April, targeting dozens of US trading partners. The administration later adjusted some rates, including a 15 percent tariff on most European Union imports, which came into effect on Aug 7.

In its appeal, the US government argues that stripping the president of this tariff authority would endanger trade deals struck with six major partners and the EU, arguing that the agreements were negotiated under pressure from the contested tariffs.

Revoking that authority, it says, would push the country to “the brink of economic catastrophe”.

Trump argued that trade deficits with other nations posed a national security risk, justifying tariffs without congressional approval. The appeals court disagreed, saying tariffs fall within Congress’ remit and dealt a blow to Trump’s aggressive trade policy.

- Bernama

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