US Supreme Court Justices Press Trump Lawyer on Tariff Limits

During the hearing, Justice Sonia Sotomayor questioned Sauer about the potential for Trump's tariffs to harm the global economy, saying, "If the president can impose tariffs of unlimited duration, what's to stop him from imposing tariffs on every single country in the world?" Sauer responded that the tariffs were necessary to protect national security interests and that Congress had authorized the use of tariffs in the 1977 law. Justice Neil Gorsuch asked Sauer whether the administration had considered alternative measures to address the national security concerns that led to the imposition of tariffs. Sauer replied that the administration had explored other options but ultimately determined that tariffs were the most effective way to address the issue. The case before the Supreme Court challenges Trump's use of a 1977 law to impose tariffs on imported goods without congressional approval. The law, known as Section 232, allows the president to impose tariffs on imported goods if they pose a national security risk. However, critics argue that Trump has misused the law to impose tariffs on a wide range of goods, including steel and aluminum imports from Canada and the European Union. The Supreme Court's decision in this case will have significant implications for the global economy and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government. The administration has asked the court to act swiftly in this case, which is unusual given the court's typical pace. The case is seen as a major test of Trump's powers and the limits of executive authority. The Supreme Court's decision is expected to be closely watched by policymakers and business leaders around the world.