US: Supreme Court poses tough questions as arguments begin over Trump's global tariffs
Nov 05, 2025
Washington DC [US], November 6 : The US Supreme Court began its arguments over the global tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
As per CNN, the case is being seen as one of the most signficant economic cases to reach the Supreme Court in years. It will see justices weigh in whether the US President acted lawfully when he imposed sweeping tariffs on majority global trading partners.
CNN reported that Trump's attorney faced deep skepticism from several justices such as Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned the Trump administration's use of a federal law to impose higher tariffs, and challenged why all countries are being subjected to "reciprocal" tariffs.
Treasury Scott Bessent is also in attendance for the Supreme Court hearing on tariffs. CNN reported that earlier this week, the treasury said he would appear at the hearing to "emphasise that this is an economic emergency".
Earlier on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was prepared for all outcomes but remained confident in its legal position."
"The White House is always preparing for plan B. It would be imprudent of the President's advisors not to prepare for such a situation," Leavitt said. "We are 100% in the President and his team's legal arguments and the merits of the law in this case. We remain optimistic that the Supreme Court is going to do the right thing."
Leavitt further stated that the issue extends beyond Trump's presidency.
"This case is not just about President Trump, it's about the use of the emergency authorisation of tariffs for future Presidents in the administrations to come," she said, adding that Trump views economic security as inseparable from national security.
Ahead of the hearing, Trump described the case as critical to the nation's future.
"Tomorrow's United States Supreme Court case is, literally, LIFE OR DEATH for our Country," he wrote on Truth Social.
"With a Victory, we have tremendous, but fair, Financial and National Security. Without it, we are virtually defenceless against other countries that have, for years, taken advantage of us. Our Stock Market is consistently hitting record highs, and our country has never been more respected than it is right now. A big part of this is the Economic Security created by Tariffs, and the Deals that we have negotiated because of them."