Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to some of Trump's sweeping tariffs

"The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will review the legality of President Trump's sprawling tariffs imposed by executive order in April when Trump declared it "liberation day." Since then the government estimates that it has collected nearly a trillion dollars from U.S. and foreign businesses that would have to be refunded, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The tariffs, however, have become a flashpoint, with two lower courts declaring them illegal, and the president rushing to the Supreme Court seeking reversal as soon as possible."

"In defending the legality of the Trump tariffs, Solicitor General Sauer noted that other presidents have imposed similar tariffs, dating back to 1813. The question before the Supreme Court, however, is whether those earlier tariffs were as broad as Trump's tariffs, and whether they were authorized by Congress. Just what the tariff percentages are has been a moving work in progress, with Trump often shifting what they will be for each country."

"But the justification for the tariffs has been two-fold. First, "to stem the flood of fentanyl across U.S. borders." And second "to rectify America's country-killing trade deficits." But the business community, normally supportive of many Trump initiatives, has rebelled, with of the main challengers in the case alleging that the tariffs will bankrupt them, rather than save them. In joining the request for intervention from the Supreme Court, the challengers said that the Trump tariffs have, "for the first time in America"

The Supreme Court will review the legality of President Trump's expansive tariffs imposed by executive order in April, after the administration reported collecting nearly a trillion dollars that could require refunds. Two lower courts ruled the tariffs illegal, prompting an expedited presidential appeal to the high court. The government argues that similar presidential tariffs date back to 1813, but the central legal questions are whether prior tariffs matched this breadth and whether Congress authorized such measures. Tariff rates have shifted frequently. The administration cites stemming fentanyl flow and correcting trade deficits; major businesses claim the levies threaten bankruptcy.

Read at www.npr.org