US Supreme Court Defers Ruling On Trump's Tariffs Today

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 20:57 IST

The case centres on whether US President Donald Trump exceeded his authority under the IEEPA by invoking national emergency powers to levy country-specific import tariffs.

US Supreme Court justices as the court considers a challenge to the legality of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday did not issue a ruling in a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs, leaving the issue unresolved for now.

The case centres on whether US President Donald Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by invoking national emergency powers to levy country-specific import tariffs. The challenge has been brought by importers who argue that the tariffs were imposed without clear congressional authorisation.

At stake is not only the legality of the tariffs but also whether companies that paid them would be entitled to refunds if the measures are eventually struck down. The tariffs have affected a wide range of imports and have been a key feature of Trump’s trade policy.

The Trump administration has signalled confidence that it will prevail in the case. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday it was “very unlikely" that the US Supreme Court would overturn President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, with a ruling expected as early as this week.

Administration officials have also said that even if the court rules against them, new tariffs would be imposed immediately. President Trump has meanwhile threatened a fresh round of tariffs on European partners, linking the issue to US demands for greater control over Greenland.

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