• The US Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of Trump's tariffs on Friday.
• Concerns over the executive's use of the 1977 emergency powers law are central to the case.
• Trump claims the tariffs strengthen the US economy and national security.
• Legal experts suggest the court may uphold lower court rulings against the tariffs.
• The outcome could necessitate refunds for tariffs deemed illegal.

The US Supreme Court is poised to issue a ruling on President Donald Trump's tariffs, which has significant implications for national and global economies. The court's decision, expected on Friday, stems from challenges against the legality of the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977. Both conservative and liberal justices expressed doubts during the November oral arguments about the legality of using this emergency powers law to impose trade restrictions, raising major concerns regarding executive authority, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Trump has defended his tariffs vigorously, asserting that they have made the country stronger economically and from a national security perspective. In recent social media posts, he described a potential unfavorable ruling as a “terrible blow” to the United States. Notably, he linked the tariffs to addressing trade deficits and combating drug trafficking from countries like China, Canada, and Mexico, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

The legal challenges arose after lower courts ruled against the Trump administration, stating that the invocation of the IEEPA exceeded the executive branch's authority. Legal analysts predict that the Supreme Court may follow suit with the lower courts, underscoring the separation of powers that traditionally grants Congress authority over tariffs. “Given the different justices’ concerns, the Supreme Court will likely decide that IEEPA does not permit the Trump administration to adopt the tariffs,” said Greg Shaffer, a law professor at Georgetown University, as reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

If the ruling goes against the administration, the US may be required to refund a portion of the tariffs collected. Officials acknowledge that those who paid tariffs deemed illegal would likely need to be reimbursed, echoing statements made by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Al Jazeera. This could have broader implications for the credibility of economic policy under the Trump administration, reflecting concerns about the potential economic repercussions of the ruling on global markets.