Bessent Expresses Optimism Following Supreme Court Tariff Hearing

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he felt “very optimistic” after the Supreme Court hearing on the legality of former President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Bessent told Fox Business Network that opponents of the tariffs “almost embarrassed themselves” during arguments. He predicted the justices would overturn a lower court ruling that found the duties unlawful.

Asked about potential refunds if the government lost, Scott Bessent replied, “We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it, but I’m confident we won’t have to.”

The justices heard over two hours of arguments on whether Trump properly invoked a 1977 emergency law to impose tariffs on nearly all imports. 

• Bessent expresses optimism after Supreme Court hearing on Trump tariffs
• Supreme Court weighs legality of Trump’s sweeping import duties
• Bessent says U.S. won’t face refunds as justices review tariff powers

Some conservative and liberal justices questioned if the president had such authority or if it belonged to Congress. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that tariffs are “taxes on Americans,” emphasizing Congress’s authority over taxation. The disputed tariffs could generate trillions in revenue over the next decade, making the case one of the most significant trade rulings in years.

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Bessent said the revenue impact was “coincidental,” arguing that stronger domestic manufacturing and higher income tax receipts could offset any decline. Trump has urged the court to uphold the tariffs, calling them key to his economic and foreign policy. A ruling against him would mark a rare judicial setback for measures upheld in previous cases.