The Trump administration is ready to swiftly implement alternative tariffs if the Supreme Court invalidates President Donald Trump's current import tariff policies. This was stated by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in a New York Times interview on 19/1.
"The very next day, import tariffs will be reimposed to address issues the president has identified", Greer said. He noted that since early last year, Greer and his advisors have presented the president with "various options" to achieve trade objectives. This means Trump could invoke other statutes to impose similar global import tariffs. "In reality, the president will still be able to apply import tariffs as part of trade policy", Greer stated.
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US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testifies before the Senate Finance Committee in 4/2025. *Photo: AFP*
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent previously indicated that if the Supreme Court rules unfavorably, the Trump administration would turn to the Trade Act of 1974. This act permits imposing tariffs up to 15% for a maximum of 150 days to address a "large and serious balance of payments deficit" for the US. Trump could also invoke the Tariff Act of 1930 to levy tariffs up to 50% on imports from countries he deems to engage in discriminatory trade practices against the US.
Despite these contingency plans, Greer remains optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the US government. On 20/1, judges are expected to issue a ruling on the legality of Trump's current import tariff policies.
Previously, both the International Trade Court (CIT) in Manhattan and the Federal Appeals Court in Washington ruled that the import tariffs Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal. However, it remains uncertain whether the Supreme Court will announce its import tariff ruling today. The court only designated 20/1 as a "decision day" for cases under review.
Nevertheless, the market anticipates a ruling related to import tariffs. This expectation stems from the fact that judges heard arguments from all parties in 11/2025, and the Trump administration requested the court to expedite the process.
By Ha Thu (from Reuters, NYT)
