Catenaa, Tuesday, November 04, 2025- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that there are other options in case of defeat, as the Supreme Court is about to hear a landmark case on President Trump’s tariffs.
On Wednesday high court is set to hear arguments on whether Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact sweeping duties on US trading partners.
Bessent expressed confidence in a CNBC interview on Tuesday that the administration will prevail, but has additional outlets it can use in case the decision goes the other way.
“There are lots of other authorities that can be used, but IEEPA is by far the cleanest, and it gives the US and the president the most negotiating authority,” he said. “The others are more cumbersome, but they can be effective,”
Specifically, Bessent sited Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which justifies on grounds of national security, as well as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which regulates unfair trading practices.
However, they would limit the president’s ability to use tariffs, as Trump has, under “emergency” grounds.
“This is very important tomorrow, and SCOTUS is going to hear this,” Bessent said, referring to the court’s nickname. “This is a signature policy for the president, and traditionally, SCOTUS has been loath to interfere with these signature policies.”
Outside of the court case, the secretary talked up the relationship the White House has with China, following last week’s meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping.
“It was a very good meeting. Both sides approached it with great respect,” Bessent said. “I think President Trump is the only leader whom President Xi respects. … The relationship is in a good place.”
