Are Trump tariffs legal? Sceptical US Supreme Court hears case with implications for Singapore

Summary

• The US Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Trump's tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), were lawful, questioning their basis and scope.
• Arguments focused on whether IEEPA allows the President to impose broad tariffs, with justices debating if tariffs are a form of tax that only Congress can levy.
• The ruling, expected next month, could significantly impact US trade, potentially lowering tariff rates and raising the possibility of US$100 billion in refunds.

NEW YORK - Spain, France, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil and China came up for a mention in the three-hour debate in the United States Supreme Court about President Donald Trump’s favourite instrument for all seasons – tariffs. 

Singapore was not named, but some parallels were striking as the nation’s highest court deliberated on Nov 5 whether Mr Trump has the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on every US trading partner under a law that was designed for use during a national emergency.