The Delhi High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case filed against Sudarshan TV and its editor Suresh Chavhanke in connection with
World

The Delhi High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case filed against Sudarshan TV and its editor Suresh Chavhanke in connection with allegations that his channel made false accusations against a madrasa. The case against Chavhanke was filed by Mohammed Tufail Khan

China said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) it was postponing its planned ambitious Chang'e-7 lunar mission, which was set to carry out explorations including
World

China said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) it was postponing its planned ambitious Chang'e-7 lunar mission, which was set to carry out explorations including searching for water ice on the moon. The Chang'e-7 spacecraft was originally set to lift off in the coming days from the Wenchang Space Launch

<h4>Canada’s Carney Puts His ‘No Deal Is Better Than a Bad Deal’ Doctrine to the Test</h4> <h4>The prime minister ’s approach has
World

Canada’s Carney Puts His ‘No Deal Is Better Than a Bad Deal’ Doctrine to the Test The prime minister ’s approach has broad support from the Canadian public and his political opponents, but it isn’t without risks. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:05:27 IST WSJ Prefer HTon Google Share via

A group of former cricket captains, including Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and one of England's longest-serving skippers Sir Alastair Cook
World

A group of former cricket captains, including Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and one of England's longest-serving skippers Sir Alastair Cook, have called on Pakistan to ensure its ex-PM Imran Khan be given proper care while in custody. The cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since

Fewer than 20 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz at ​the weekend, shipping data showed on Monday (August 24, 2026), as Iranian and U.S
World

Fewer than 20 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz at ​the weekend, shipping data showed on Monday (August 24, 2026), as Iranian and U.S. ‌blockades restrict traffic through the chokepoint for energy shipments. Four vessels ​crossed the strait on Sunday (August 23, 2026)

Trump has other tariff options if the Supreme Court strikes down his worldwide import taxes

Posted By: Hemant Kumar Posted On: Nov 06, 2025Share Article
Trump has other tariff options if the Supreme Court strikes down his worldwide import taxes

With the possibility of Supreme Court battles looming over his tariffs, President Trump isn't without options. He can draw on various powers established during his first term and even a historic law from the Great Depression. Analysts suggest that these alternative avenues could empower Trump to fortify his tariff strategy and maintain strong trade regulations.

President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will be rendered "defenseless'' and possibly "reduced to almost Third World status'' if Supreme Court strikes down the tariffs he imposed this year on nearly every country on earth.

The justices sounded skeptical during oral arguments Wednesday of his sweeping claims of authority to impose tariffs as he sees fit.

The truth, though, is that Trump will still have plenty of options to keep taxing imports aggressively even if the court rules against him. He can re-use tariff powers he deployed in his first term and can reach for others, including one that dates back to the Great Depression.

"It's hard to see any pathway here where tariffs end," said Georgetown trade law professor Kathleen Claussen. "I am pretty convinced he could rebuild the tariff landscape he has now using other authorities."

At Wednesday's hearing, in fact, lawyer Neal Katyal, representing small businesses suing to get the tariffs struck down, argued that Trump didn't need the boundless authority he's claimed to impose tariffs under 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). That is because Congress delegated tariff power to the White House in several other statutes - though it carefully limited the ways the president could use the authority.

"Congress knows exactly how to delegate its tariff powers,'' Katyal said.

Tariffs have become a cornerstone of Trump's foreign policy in his second term, with double-digit "reciprocal'' tariffs imposed on most countries, which he has justified by declaring America's longstanding trade deficits a national emergency.

The average U.S. tariff has gone from 2.5% when Trump returned to the White House in January to 17.9%, highest since 1934, according to calculations by Yale University's Budget Lab.

The president acted alone even though the U.S. Constitution specifically gives the power to tax - and impose tariffs - to Congress.

Still, Trump "will have other tools that can cause pain,'' said Stratos Pahis of Brooklyn Law School. Here's a look at some of his options:

Countering unfair trade practices

The United States has long had a handy cudgel to wallop countries it accuses of engaging in "unjustifiable,'' "unreasonable'' or "discriminatory'' trade practices. That is Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

And Trump has made aggressive use of it himself - especially against China. In his first term, he cited Section 301 to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports in a dispute over the sharp-elbowed tactics that Beijing was using to challenge America's technological dominance. The U.S. is also using 301 powers to counter what it calls unfair Chinese practices in the shipbuilding industry.

"You've had Section 301 tariffs in place against China for years,'' said Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a trade official in Trump's first administration and in Biden's.

There are no limits on the size of Section 301 tariffs. They expire after four years but can be extended.

But the administration's trade representative must conduct an investigation and typically hold a public hearing before imposing 301 tariffs.

John Veroneau, general counsel for the U.S. trade representative in the George W. Bush administration, said Section 301 is useful in taking on China. But it has drawbacks when it comes to dealing with the smaller countries that Trump has hammered with reciprocal tariffs.

"Undertaking dozens and dozens of 301 investigations of all of those countries is a laborious process,'' Veroneau said.

Targeting trade deficits

In striking down Trump's reciprocal tariffs in May, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the president couldn't use emergency powers to combat trade deficits.

That is partly because Congress had specifically given the White House limited authority to address the problem in another statute: Section 122, also of the Trade Act of 1974. That allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days in response to unbalanced trade. The administration doesn't even have to conduct an investigation beforehand.

But Section 122 authority has never been used to apply tariffs, and there is some uncertainty about how it would work.

Protecting national security

In both his terms, Trump has made aggressive use of his power - under Section 232 of Trade Expansion Act of 1962 - to impose tariffs on imports that he deems a threat to national security.

In 2018, he slapped tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, levies he's expanded since returning to the White House. He also plastered Section 232 tariffs on autos, auto parts, copper, lumber.

In September, the president even levied Section 232 tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and upholstered furniture. "Even though people might roll their eyes'' at the notion that imported furniture poses a threat to national security, Veroneau said, "it's difficult to get courts to second-guess a determination by a president on a national security matter.''

Section 232 tariffs are not limited by law but do require an investigation by the U.S. Commerce Department. It's the administration itself that does the investigating - also true for Section 301 cases - "so they have a lot of control over the outcome,'' Veroneau said.

Reviving Depression-era tariffs

Nearly a century ago, with the U.S. and world economies in collapse, Congress passed the Tariff Act of 1930, imposing hefty taxes on imports. Known as the Smoot-Hawley tariffs (for their congressional sponsors), these levies have been widely condemned by economists and historians for limiting world commerce and making the Great Depression worse. They also got a memorable pop culture shoutout in the 1986 movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off.''

Section 338 of the law authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses. No investigation is required, and there's no limit on how long the tariffs can stay in place.

Those tariffs have never been imposed - U.S. trade negotiators traditionally have favored Section 301 sanctions instead - though the United States used the threat of them as a bargaining chip in trade talks in the 1930s.

In September, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters that the administration was considering Section 338 as a Plan B if the Supreme Court ruled against Trump's use of emergency powers tariffs.

The Smoot-Hawley legislation has a bad reputation, Veroneau said, but Trump might find it appealing. "To be the first president to ever use it could have some cache.''
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!


Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: trump,yale university s budget lab,white house,veroneau,trump s first administration,treasury,supreme court,georgetown,congress,stratos pahis

Comment on Post

Leave a comment

If you have a News Orbit 360 user account, your address will be used to display your profile picture.


India had asked the United States not to allow reporters to ask questions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump on the
World
India asked for no press questions at Modi-Trump meeting in June

India had asked the United States not to allow reporters to ask questions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France in June, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Saturday

9 hours ago

Former Australian captain Greg Chappell with the support of 20 other former international skippers appealed to the Pakistan Government led by Prime Minister
World
Former cricket captains urge Pakistan for ‘humane treatment

Former Australian captain Greg Chappell with the support of 20 other former international skippers appealed to the Pakistan Government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to provide ‘humane treatment and proper medical care’ for Imran Khan

12 hours ago

The shock resignation of Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran earlier this month has left corporate India's top job vacant. But finding his successor will be no
World
New Tata boss to face formidable challenges

The shock resignation of Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran earlier this month has left corporate India's top job vacant. But finding his successor will be no easy task for the country's most revered conglomerate, whose sprawling $300bn empire spans Jaguar Land Rover and Air India as well as

12 hours ago

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war. Meanwhile
World
Iran's President says U

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war. Meanwhile, the new head of the Islamic Republic's top security body warned, in a more forceful tone, of retaliation if neighbouring countries support U.S

12 hours ago

Authorities in China have launched an investigation into reports of formaldehyde being used to preserve the freshness of cabbages for human consumption
World
China probes use of formaldehyde to keep cabbages fresh

Authorities in China have launched an investigation into reports of formaldehyde being used to preserve the freshness of cabbages for human consumption. Officials in the northeastern Hebei province confirmed that they had verified footage showing individuals dipping cabbages in a solution before

12 hours ago

Three newborns died after a fire that broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit of a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati district in the early
World
Three newborns die in fire at Amravati government hospital

Three newborns died after a fire that broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit of a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati district in the early hours of Monday, PTI reported. The fire broke out at the Amravati District Women’s Hospital around 3

12 hours ago

<h4>Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital</h4> <h4>Imran's party demands immediate cardiac
World
Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital

Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:10:49 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Islamabad

12 hours ago

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s three-day visit to New Delhi in July 2026 for the India-Japan summit appears to have elevated relations between the
World
Why has India-Japan cooperation not translated into deeper strategic integration

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s three-day visit to New Delhi in July 2026 for the India-Japan summit appears to have elevated relations between the two Asian countries into a fresh phase of strategic expansion. Ties had already undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade

12 hours ago

<h4>How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought</h4> <h4>How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as
World
How well do COVID antivirals actually work

How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:11:50 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Sydeny, If you're aged over 70

12 hours ago

On Sunday, in a post on X, Wali said the audio contained
World
Gangster Goldy Brar claims role in NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing in purported audio

On Sunday, in a post on X, Wali said the audio contained "explosive evidence" and claimed that Brar admitted his gang had ordered Nijjar's killing, alleging that the assassination was driven by an inter-gang feud. Ottawa: Three years after NIA designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in

15 hours ago

Until recently, there would have been little to distinguish Vietnam's so-called Justice Tree from the hundreds of others lining the streets of Hanoi
World
Rumours swirled after a Vietnamese teen was run over - then came a stunning admission

Until recently, there would have been little to distinguish Vietnam's so-called Justice Tree from the hundreds of others lining the streets of Hanoi. Then the bouquets started piling up. It was here that former politician Nguyen Sy Cuong was driving his BMW in May last year when he veered into the

15 hours ago

Fast-fashion giant Shein says it plans to raise up to HK13.86bn (£1.3bn; $1.77bn) when its shares start trading on the Hong Kong stock market on 1 September
World
Shein aims for almost $27bn valuation in stock market debut

Fast-fashion giant Shein says it plans to raise up to HK13.86bn (£1.3bn; $1.77bn) when its shares start trading on the Hong Kong stock market on 1 September. In a filing on Monday, Shein said it will offer nearly 280 million shares for between HK$47.60 and HK$49.50

15 hours ago

A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced about 42,000 people to evacuate, while another 45,000 have been urged to prepare to leave
World
Hawk Fire near Reno forces 42

A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced about 42,000 people to evacuate, while another 45,000 have been urged to prepare to leave. The Hawk Fire has burned 15,040 acres, destroyed some homes and injured six people. Officials declared a state of emergency as the blaze

15 hours ago

Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns about the verification process under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Suri
World
Ex-diplomat says he had trouble ‘proving citizenship’ despite representing India in 3 countries

Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns about the verification process under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Suri, a retired Indian Foreign Services officer, went through the process in Punjab. It is among the 16 states where the voter roll revision is being

15 hours ago

A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday (August 23, 2026)
World
More than 20 injured as moderate earthquake shakes northeast Japan

A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday (August 23, 2026), injuring more than 20 people, most of them slightly, officials said. There was no danger of a tsunami. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency

1 days ago

Chinese humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including beating Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint world record, on the opening day of the Olympics-like
World
Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games

Chinese humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including beating Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint world record, on the opening day of the Olympics-like World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday (August 22, 2026). More than 2,000 humanoid robots were participating in the event

1 days ago

One afternoon in 1907, a young accountant named Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman walked into the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
World
The 19th-century Indians who nurtured a self-reliant scientific culture in colonial India

One afternoon in 1907, a young accountant named Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman walked into the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science at 210 Bowbazar Street in Calcutta. Though he had a passion for the sciences, colonial India offered no stable careers in the field

1 days ago

Three first information reports were filed against 14 identified and more than 200 unidentified persons on Saturday in connection with clashes between the
World
Jharkhand protests

Three first information reports were filed against 14 identified and more than 200 unidentified persons on Saturday in connection with clashes between the police and student protesters a day earlier, PTI quoted Ranchi Superintendent of Police Paras Rana as saying

1 days ago

<h4>Did an Amazon delivery guy assault a 71-year-old man in California? What we know about the attack and lawsuit</h4> <h4>A California
World
Did an Amazon delivery guy assault an old man in California

Did an Amazon delivery guy assault a 71-year-old man in California? What we know about the attack and lawsuit A California lawsuit alleged that an Amazon delivery driver assaulted a 71-year-old man at an Elk Grove gas station. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026

1 days ago

<h4>‘Pure evil’: Videos of mothers splashing water at their kids spark outrage amid Lindsay Clancy trial</h4> <h4>Social media videos of
World
Videos of moms splashing water at kids spark outrage amid Lindsay Clancy trial

‘Pure evil’: Videos of mothers splashing water at their kids spark outrage amid Lindsay Clancy trial Social media videos of mothers throwing water at their children have sparked concerns amid Lindsay Clancy's trial. Published on: Aug 23, 2026

1 days ago

The sister of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday (August 22, 2026) filed a petition in the Supreme Court
World
Imran Khan’s sister files contempt plea over violation of Pakistan top court’s hospitalisation order

The sister of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday (August 22, 2026) filed a petition in the Supreme Court, accusing the government and senior officials of violating the top court’s order to shift him to a private hospital for medical examination and treatment

1 days ago

The United States and Canada have entered into uncharted territory. The longtime allies and economic partners, who have enjoyed free trade for decades
World
Carney faces crucial test after walking away from Trump's deal

The United States and Canada have entered into uncharted territory. The longtime allies and economic partners, who have enjoyed free trade for decades, are now in an escalating trade war with no clear off ramp. And for Prime Minister Mark Carney

1 days ago

<h4>Harrisburg weather update: Special Weather Statement issued for central Pennsylvania as thunderstorms bring 40mph wind</h4> <h4>NWS has
World
Harrisburg weather update

Harrisburg weather update: Special Weather Statement issued for central Pennsylvania as thunderstorms bring 40mph wind NWS has issued a Special Weather Statement for Harrisburg and surrounding parts of central Pennsylvania. Published on: Aug 23, 2026

1 days ago

The police in Maharashtra’s Latur have registered a first information report against Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party political
World
FIR filed against CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke for ‘defaming’ Maharashtra school

The police in Maharashtra’s Latur have registered a first information report against Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign, for allegedly entering a government school without permission, threatening teachers and defaming the institution

1 days ago

The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday’s ‌(August 24, 2026) scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could
World
U.S., Iran keep up hostile rhetoric ahead of new sanctions

The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday’s ‌(August 24, 2026) scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could impact the Islamic Republic and Tehran’s most ​important trading partners including China

1 days ago

Fourteen people were killed in military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar early on Friday, opposition fighters and a local rescue worker have said
World
Fourteen killed in strike on Myanmar monastery

Fourteen people were killed in military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar early on Friday, opposition fighters and a local rescue worker have said. All of those killed were elderly and a number of monks were also injured, the rescue worker told BBC Burmese, adding that the site was struck twice

1 days ago

The Armed Forces Tribunal on Thursday upheld an administrative censure for a brigadier who was commanding a sector of the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and
World
Army tribunal upholds censure for brigadier over 2023 Poonch civilian deaths

The Armed Forces Tribunal on Thursday upheld an administrative censure for a brigadier who was commanding a sector of the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district in December 2023 when three civilians died during an interrogation following a militant attack

1 days ago