The US Supreme Court on January 14 issued three separate decisions but skipped a ruling on the legality of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, prolonging uncertainty over one of the most closely watched trade cases with global economic implications.
The court did not indicate when it would take up the tariffs case next. The Supreme Court does not announce in advance which rulings will be delivered on a given day.
The case challenges the scope of presidential powers and tests whether Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency laws. The outcome is expected to have wide-ranging consequences for global trade, financial markets and US trading partners.
The tariffs were imposed by Trump by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law designed for use during national emergencies. Trump declared a national emergency citing persistent trade deficits and later used the same law to impose duties on imports from China, Canada and Mexico, linking them to concerns over fentanyl trafficking and illegal drug flows.
During oral arguments held on November 5, both conservative and liberal justices raised doubts about whether the law could be used to justify broad trade measures. Several judges questioned whether the legislation was meant to support large-scale tariff actions unrelated to immediate national security threats.
Lower courts have already ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court.
Trump has repeatedly defended the tariffs, claiming they have strengthened the US economy. He has warned that overturning them would deal a “terrible blow” to the country.
With no decision announced on Wednesday, legal uncertainty surrounding the tariffs continues. Businesses, investors and international trading partners remain on edge as they await clarity on whether the tariffs will be upheld or struck down.