Arabic version: ترامب يفرض تعريفات جديدة بعد حكم المحكمة العليا
According to BBC News,
The US Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump overstepped his powers when he imposed sweeping global tariffs last year. In its 6-3 decision, the court ruled that Trump could not use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy taxes on imports from nearly every country in the world. The ruling left open the possibility of consumers and businesses being given refunds for the estimated $130 billion generated by the tariffs – a prospect that the high court did not weigh in on but is likely to end up in another court battle.
Hours after the decision was released, Trump signed a proclamation using an alternative law, Section 122 of 1974’s Trade Act, that would let him put a new 10% temporary tariff on goods from all countries. This section allows the president to impose tariffs for up to 150 days, after which Congress must step in. However, experts suggest that Trump could potentially circumvent Congress by declaring a new emergency after the initial period.
The Supreme Court’s ruling specifically pertains to tariffs imposed under the IEEPA, which Trump first invoked in February 2025 to tax goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, saying fentanyl trafficking from those countries constituted an emergency. The court clarified that only Congress has the authority to create new taxes, while tariffs related to national security concerns, imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, remain unaffected.
As the new tariffs take effect on February 24, 2026, they will apply to nearly all imports, including those from countries with existing trade agreements with the US. Some goods will be exempt from the new tax, including critical minerals, metals, energy products, natural resources, food crops, pharmaceuticals, electronics, cars and trucks, and aerospace products. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the combination of tariffs under Section 122 and enhanced tariffs under Sections 232 and 301 could maintain revenue levels despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The question of refunds from the IEEPA tariffs remains unresolved, with both Trump and Bessent suggesting that litigation could prolong the process. Reports indicate that over 1,000 businesses have already sought tariff refunds, with the potential for this number to increase. Additionally, calls for direct refunds to American households have emerged, as the impact of the unlawful tariffs continues to unfold.
