New York, Sep 10 (IANS) – The US Supreme Court has agreed to fast-track former President Donald Trump’s appeal against lower court rulings that struck down his reciprocal tariffs, saying he exceeded constitutional authority.
In an unsigned order on Tuesday, the court said it will hear oral arguments during the first week of November. The move keeps in place a stay on the earlier ruling that had invalidated the tariffs.
The Court of International Trade had ruled in May that Trump’s tariffs were unconstitutional, a decision upheld last month by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington. Both courts said Congress alone has the power to impose tariffs.
The Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to expedite the case, warning that if it were delayed until next June and lost, the government could be forced to refund between $750 billion and $1 trillion in collected tariffs.
Trump imposed the duties under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), arguing that trade deficits amounted to an economic emergency. The measures included a 25% tariff on India’s exports and a 25% levy on Russian oil purchases, which lower courts invalidated.
The Supreme Court has consolidated two related tariff cases and set deadlines of September 19 for initial briefs, October 20 for responses, and October 30 for replies. Oral arguments will be limited to one hour.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice John Roberts separately stayed a federal judge’s ruling requiring the administration to unfreeze $4 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress. The administration had withheld the funds through a procedure known as “pocket rescission.”
Trump said on Truth Social that trade negotiations with India were continuing and expressed confidence in reaching a successful outcome, adding he would speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi “in the upcoming weeks.”
