Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday it is “very unlikely” that the Supreme Court will block President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose new tariffs. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Bessent said the court is expected to issue a ruling before the end of its current term, with a decision possibly coming as soon as this week.
Bessent argued that the justices are unlikely to overturn what he described as a central element of Trump’s economic agenda. He cited past Supreme Court decisions, including the court’s decision not to strike down the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that the court typically avoids rulings that could trigger significant economic or political disruption.
The comments followed Trump’s announcement of plans to impose tariffs on European goods until what he described as a “complete and total purchase of Greenland” is secured. While the president did not reference a specific legal authority, the proposed tariffs mirror previous actions taken under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, commonly known as IEEPA.
Under the proposal, tariffs on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would start at 10 percent on Feb. 1 and rise to 25 percent by June 1. The Supreme Court is currently considering whether IEEPA grants the president authority to impose tariffs in response to what the law defines as an “unusual and extraordinary threat.”
Bessent defended the tariff plan as a national security measure aimed at preventing future conflict through economic pressure rather than military action. European leaders have criticized the proposal, warning it could strain transatlantic relations, but the Trump administration maintains that increased U.S. control in Greenland is strategically important as Russia and China expand their presence in the Arctic, adding that diplomatic discussions remain ongoing.