What are the options if the Supreme Court rules against the Trump Administration’s tariffs?

The Supreme Court could soon be nearing a decision in the coming weeks on President Trump’s trade policy.

Trump has been pleading in recent days on social media for the high court to overturn the lower court rulings, which called his use of these tariffs illegal, but ag lawyer Roger McEowen points out that the White House has options if justices are not on his side.

“There are other tools that are not subject to whatever the Supreme Court would say in this case. This only involves IEEPA tariffs. It doesn’t involve the other types of tariffs. But the basic question before the court is whether the president’s tariffs under the IEEPA, both the fentanyl tariffs on China and Canada, and the tariffs, the reciprocal tariffs on everybody, is that a legal use of the law.”

McEowen says if the Supreme Court rules against the Trump Administration, it could complicate a number of issues, starting with U.S. revenue streams.

“We have a huge rebalancing of world trade, both in converting some purchasing to domestic sources and at least moving lots of import purchases to other foreign suppliers. That moves away from China, which is our most dangerous enemy. And you have many trade deals that the President has already negotiated. Those differ wildly from country to country, and it opens up foreign markets to our goods and increases our exports in certain areas of the world. It’s a total rebalancing.”

Supreme court justices have been mulling this case over for some time now, but this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business the ruling could come as soon as next month. Bessent also expects a new Fed Chair to be named around the same time, with current Chair Jerome Powell’s term ending in May.

Related Stories
While access to China remains uncertain, U.S. beef exporters are finding resilience and opportunity in other global markets, which could help maintain industry value and expand export opportunities.
Mike Spier, president and CEO of U.S. Wheat Associates, discusses the new U.S.-Bangladesh trade agreement and its potential benefits for U.S. wheat growers.
Ag industry leaders and lawmakers are urging continued support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), citing strong export growth, supply chain integration, and economic benefits for U.S. farmers ahead of the pact’s July review.
Strong corn exports offer support, while soybeans and wheat remain weighed down by ample global supplies, according to the USDA’s latest WASDE report for February.
Higher livestock prices reflect resilient demand, even as disease and herd shifts reshape 2026 supply expectations.
RealAg Radio host Sean Haney outlines the Trump Administration’s current trade priorities and what meaningful market expansion looks like for farmers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jeremy Kelly explains how Darling Ingredients’ mission aligns with FFA’s values and why investing in future ag leaders is so important.
Molly Ball joins us to talk about the upcoming FFA Convention & Expo and dish about the latest episode of “Dirt Diaries: The FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast.”
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
Farmers are in the midst of harvest as the government descends into a shutdown and the Farm Bill expires. Key federal departments, crop reporting, and aid programs important to the agricultural sector are now on hold.
Trump’s upcoming talks raise hopes for U.S. soybeans, but China’s record purchases from Brazil and Argentina show America’s market share remains under heavy pressure.
Students share their experiences overcoming anxiety through opportunities provided by the National FFA Organization.