Lower courts earlier ruled President Donald Trump lacked authority to impose the trade tariffs|@WhiteHouse|X

Supreme Court justices voiced doubts on Wednesday about the legality of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports from dozens of countries.

Both liberal and conservative justices questioned Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who defended the tariffs as regulatory, not revenue-raising.

Lower courts had earlier ruled that Trump lacked the authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose them.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued tariffs are taxes, pointing out that only Congress can levy them. Justice Neil Gorsuch warned the move could hand excessive power to the president, calling it a “one-way ratchet” toward executive dominance.

Economic impact
The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 50%, could generate $3 trillion in additional revenue by 2035, although critics argue that US businesses and consumers ultimately bear the cost.

Next steps
It is not clear when a ruling is expected. If struck down, the US might have to refund up to $750 billion in collected duties.