Friday could be D-Day for President Trump’s most sweeping tariffs and mark a landmark test of presidential powers, as the US Supreme Court has its first chance to rule on the implications and legality of Trump’s global duties on trade partners.
The court indicated on its website that it has set Friday as an opinion day, suggesting that it will release decisions in argued cases. This will be the first opportunity for the court to issue a ruling on Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.
Trump’s tariffs have sparked global debate, and the decision by the Supreme Court is being closely watched, as companies like Costco (COST) bring lawsuits against the US government in the hope of securing a refund on import duties if the court rejects Trump’s authority to impose tariffs.
The court heard arguments in early November. Both conservative- and liberal-leaning justices asked skeptical questions of the method by which the president imposed his most sweeping duties. Trump imposed his tariffs by invoking a 1977 law meant for national emergencies.
The Trump administration also made appeals to the court last year, and in recent weeks Trump has frequently expressed concern over the ruling, saying losing the ability to tariff other countries would be a “terrible blow” to the US.
“Because of Tariffs, our Country is financially, AND FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT, FAR STRONGER AND MORE RESPECTED THAN EVER BEFORE,” Trump said in another post on Monday.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview that a ruling against tariffs would be “a loss for the American people.”
Bessent has also said that the administration has other “options” if the court shuts down Trump’s tariffs.
“There are lots of other authorities that can be used, but IEEPA is by far the cleanest, and it gives the US and the president the most negotiating authority,” he said. “The others are more cumbersome, but they can be effective.”
Read more: What Trump promised with his ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs — and what he delivered
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