President Donald Trump‘s administration on Wednesday sought help from the Supreme Court following a legal blow to his sweeping global tariff plan.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for additional comment.
Why It Matters
A federal appeals court ruling previously found that a wide array of Trump’s tariffs were illegally implemented by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The decision undercut a central element of Trump’s unilateral trade strategy and could raise the prospect of refunds if the tariffs are ultimately struck down.
What To Know
According to the Associated Press, the administration argued in its appeal to the High Court: “That decision casts a pall of uncertainty upon ongoing foreign negotiations that the President has been pursuing through tariffs over the past five months, jeopardizing both already negotiated framework deals and ongoing negotiations.”
“The stakes in this case could not be higher,” added the administration, which previously said it would ask the Supreme Court for an expedited ruling.
The case involves two sets of import levies the president justified by declaring national emergencies: a set of broad “reciprocal” tariffs applied country-by-country and a separate 25 percent tariff on certain goods from Canada, China and Mexico tied to allegations related to fentanyl.
The appeals court said imposing taxes and tariffs is fundamentally a power granted to Congress in the U.S. Constitution.
What People Are Saying
Trump, on Truth Social Sunday: “Without Tariffs, and all of the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS we have already taken in, our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated. In a 7 to 4 Opinion, a Radical Left group of judges didn’t care, but one Democrat, Obama appointed, actually voted to save our Country. I would like to thank him for his Courage! He loves and respects the U.S.A.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on X Tuesday: “Now that August is in the books, tariff revenues topped over $31 billion in the month: a new record high. As collection continues to grow, the Trump Administration is fixing the financial shambles it inherited.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, on X Wednesday: “Chicagoans reject Trump’s proposedinvasion of our city — and Chicago’s business community has been clear: no tariffs, no troops, and cut the chaos. The President should know that the people of Chicago, of Illinois, and of the nation don’t take well to brazen federal overreach.”
What Happens Next
If the High Court agrees to hear the case, a decision could come months after argument—although the government has urged the justices to act more quickly, saying a swift ruling would avoid legal and diplomatic disruption.
Update 9/3/25, 11:18 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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