In a significant legal maneuver, the administration of former US President Donald Trump is pushing to postpone court proceedings related to tariff refunds. This move comes just one week after the Supreme Court delivered a major blow by striking down his sweeping global duties, as detailed in a recent court filing.
Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Legal Turmoil
The Supreme Court's decision represents a substantial setback for Trump's signature economic policy, opening the door to a complex and legally challenging refund process. Importers are now preparing to sue for repayments, setting the stage for extensive litigation.
Government Requests Delay in Refund Litigation
In a filing before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the government has sought a delay of up to four months before refund litigation resumes at the US Court of International Trade. According to AFP, the government cited procedural timelines, noting that the Supreme Court sends down its judgment 32 days after entry. It further argued for an additional 90-day delay to allow political branches to consider options, emphasizing that complexity warrants careful process over speed.
Trump Criticizes Supreme Court Decision
Earlier in the day, Trump voiced strong criticism of the Supreme Court's ruling, warning it could lead to massive payouts. In a post on Truth Social, he expressed concerns that the decision might allow hundreds of billions of dollars to be returned to countries and companies he accused of taking advantage of the US. He questioned the logic of such refunds and pondered the possibility of a rehearing or readjudication of the case.
Background of the Legal Battle
The legal dispute originated after the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in August last year that many of Trump's tariffs were illegal. However, it sent the refund question back to the Court of International Trade. The appeals court paused its mandate while Trump appealed to the Supreme Court, which last week ruled by a 6–3 majority that Trump exceeded his authority in imposing broad global tariffs.
Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted that the Constitution does not grant the executive unilateral taxing power, a point underscored by the framers' intent. Notably, the decision did not affect sector-specific duties on products like steel and automobiles.
Immediate Aftermath and New Tariffs
Within hours of the ruling, Trump invoked a different law to impose a new 10% tariff on imports into the United States, later increasing it to 15%. This swift action reflects ongoing tensions in trade policy and the administration's efforts to maintain economic measures despite legal challenges.
The unfolding scenario underscores the intricate interplay between executive authority, judicial oversight, and international trade dynamics, with significant implications for businesses and global economies.
