US President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that declared many of his sweeping tariffs unlawful.
In a petition filed late Wednesday, Trump’s legal team urged the justices to quickly step in and affirm that the president has authority to impose import taxes on foreign nations.
Last week, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) exceeded presidential authority, stressing that setting tariffs is “a core Congressional power.”
The ruling poses a major challenge to Trump’s economic and foreign policy agenda and could require the US to refund billions of dollars in tariffs.
Trump had justified his actions by declaring an economic emergency in April, arguing that trade imbalances were damaging US manufacturing and national security. While the appellate court struck down the tariffs, it delayed enforcement to allow time for an appeal.
In the Supreme Court filing, Solicitor General John Sauer warned that the lower court’s “erroneous decision” had disrupted sensitive trade negotiations and created legal uncertainty over the president’s ability to respond to economic threats.
If the justices decline to hear the case, the appellate court’s ruling will take effect on October 14.
Earlier in May, the US Court of International Trade also ruled the tariffs unlawful, though that decision was similarly put on hold pending appeal. Both cases stemmed from lawsuits filed by small businesses and a coalition of states opposing the levies.
In April, Trump signed executive orders imposing a baseline 10% tariff and additional “reciprocal” tariffs targeting over 90 countries. The Federal Circuit’s ruling also struck down tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, which Trump argued were necessary to curb drug imports.
The decision does not affect other duties, such as those on steel and aluminum, which were enacted under a separate presidential authority.
