Scott Bessent Reveals Tariff Plan B Under Supreme Court Ruling

Source: Newsweek

Published Dec 04, 2025 at 11:23 AM EST updated Dec 04, 2025 at 03:51 PM EST


Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration has a backup strategy to keep broad tariffs in place if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the emergency-powers authority currently used to impose them.

Asked at the DealBook Summit "what kind of planning you've been doing" for a scenario in which the court strikes down the tariffs, Bessent outlined how the White House could recreate its tariff system. Newsweek contacted the Treasury's Office of Public Affairs for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Thursday.

Why It Matters

The Supreme Court is weighing whether Trump can use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy sweeping tariffs; lower courts said the law doesn’t clearly authorize such duties, and a ruling is expected this month.

The decision could reshape U.S. trade policy and the president’s power to impose tariffs, affecting negotiations with major trading partners and potential refund claims by some importers.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/scott-bessent-reveals-tariff-plan-b-under-supreme-court-ruling-11155331