Trump Warns Supreme Court On Tariffs, Still Has Other Options To Tax Imports
1 week ago
President Donald Trump is warning the Supreme Court could leave the United States “defenseless” if it strikes down the sweeping tariffs he imposed this year, but legal experts say he still has multiple ways to keep taxing imports aggressively.
Trump claims his emergency powers give him near-limitless authority to set tariffs, but justices appeared skeptical during Wednesday’s hearing. Even if the court rules against him, Trump could use other laws, including Section 301 of the Trade Act to counter unfair trade practices, Section 232 for national security tariffs, and even the nearly century-old Smoot-Hawley law.
Tariffs have become a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term economic policy, with rates on imports rising sharply, and the president has framed the measures as essential to protecting American businesses.
Trump claims his emergency powers give him near-limitless authority to set tariffs, but justices appeared skeptical during Wednesday’s hearing. Even if the court rules against him, Trump could use other laws, including Section 301 of the Trade Act to counter unfair trade practices, Section 232 for national security tariffs, and even the nearly century-old Smoot-Hawley law.
Tariffs have become a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term economic policy, with rates on imports rising sharply, and the president has framed the measures as essential to protecting American businesses.
