Trump administration seeks expedited Supreme Court ruling on tariffs

The Trump administration has petitioned the US Supreme Court for an expedited ruling to preserve tariffs imposed on global markets, citing significant damage to trade negotiations due to a lower court’s ruling. In a filing, Solicitor General John Sauer urged the court to expedite the resolution, emphasizing the importance of confirming the legal standing of the President’s tariffs.

The petition follows a 7-4 ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which found that President Trump exceeded his authority in using emergency economic powers to impose wide-ranging duties. Although the judges allowed the levies to remain in place until mid-October, the administration is seeking a Supreme Court decision to resolve the issue.

Since returning to the presidency, Trump has utilized the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly all US trading partners, with a 10-per-cent baseline level and higher rates for dozens of economies, including the European Union and Japan. The administration has also imposed separate tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, citing concerns over the flow of deadly drugs into the United States.

The appeals court ruling has cast doubt over the legitimacy of Trump’s actions, potentially impacting deals struck with key trading partners like the EU. The decision also raises questions about the billions of dollars collected by the United States since the tariffs were implemented, should the Supreme Court not side with the administration. In a declaration filed with the petition, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the appellate court’s decision has stripped the administration of “substantial negotiating leverage.”

The solicitor general has requested oral arguments by early November, seeking a swift resolution to the matter. The case has significant implications for global trade and the US economy, and a Supreme Court decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences. As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely watching the developments, given the potential impact on trade negotiations and the global economy.