US Supreme Court defers Trump tariff ruling again, decision unlikely before Feb 20

The court had not issued a ruling on January 9 as well, on cases questioning whether the US president Trump exceeded his authority while imposing the global tariff measures.

• Supreme Court delays ruling on legality of Trump's sweeping tariff measures
• Decision delayed by four weeks, extending business uncertainty
• Ruling may affect $130B in tariff refunds and presidential trade authority.

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The US Supreme Court on Tuesday left unresolved a closely watched dispute over President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, ensuring that a final answer on the legality of his trade policy will likely not come for several more weeks.

With the justices set to enter a four-week recess, the earliest realistic date for a decision now appears to be February 20, when the court is next expected to release opinions, reported Bloomberg.

The court had not issued a ruling on January 9 as well, on cases questioning whether the president exceeded his authority while imposing the global tariff measures.

The case centers on Trump’s sweeping April 2 tariff rollout, branded as his “Liberation Day” initiative. Those measures slapped duties ranging from 10% to 50% on a broad range of imports, alongside separate levies on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.

The administration justified the actions by invoking concerns about fentanyl trafficking and national security, relying on a 1977 statute that grants presidents special authority during declared emergencies.

During arguments held on November 5, several justices signaled unease over whether that law actually permits tariffs of this scale and scope. Because the court agreed to fast-track the challenge, critics of the policy had anticipated a relatively swift ruling. Instead, the lack of a decision this week prolongs uncertainty for governments and businesses alike.

India is among the countries hit hardest. Its exports face a combined tariff burden of 50%, made up of the across-the-board “Liberation Day” duties plus an extra 25% linked to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil. Other trading partners are also watching closely, particularly in Europe, where Trump has warned of fresh tariffs unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland to the United States.

A ruling against the administration could have far-reaching consequences. Analysts say it might pave the way for more than $130 billion in tariff refunds and weaken Trump’s leverage to threaten new trade penalties. It would also mark his most significant courtroom loss since returning to the White House.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended the strategy, telling NBC’s Meet the Press, “The national emergency is avoiding a national emergency,” and arguing the White House is deploying “the economic might of the U.S. to avoid a hot war.” Over the past year, Trump has repeatedly declared emergencies to justify tariffs aimed at trade deficits, drug flows and broader security risks.

Even so, administration officials have hinted at backup plans. Trade adviser Jamieson Greer suggested that, if the court narrows presidential authority under the emergency statute, Trump could turn to other laws such as Section 301, a tool widely used against China during his first term.

Trump himself has framed the stakes starkly, warning recently, “if the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE’RE SCREWED!” The outcome is now widely viewed as a defining test of presidential trade powers and the court’s willingness to rein in executive authority.