Trump tariffs set for big Supreme Court rulings, Amazon makes shocking announcements. What does this mean for Donald Trump?

U.S. Supreme Court said last week it would issue its next ‍rulings ⁠on January 14 ⁠as several major cases remain pending, including the legality of President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs. Ahead of Wednesday's hearings, Amazon is seeking to ​cut what it pays suppliers for goods ⁠it sells on its e-commerce platform, as the tech giant moves to reverse concessions intended to limit the shock of U.S. ‌President ‌Donald Trump's tariffs, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Trump Tariffs

The justices raised doubts during arguments on November 5 over the legality of Trump's sweeping tariffs in a case with implications for ​the global economy that marks a major test of Trump's powers. Conservative and liberal justices alike sharply questioned the lawyer representing Trump's administration about whether a 1977 law meant for use during national emergencies gave Trump the power he claimed to impose tariffs or whether the president had intruded on the powers of Congress.


But some of the conservative ⁠justices also stressed the inherent authority of presidents in dealing with foreign countries, suggesting the court could be sharply divided in the outcome of the case. Lower courts ruled that Trump overreached in invoking a 1977 law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the tariffs, which were challenged by various businesses and 12 U.S. states. A ruling is expected by the end of June.

Amazon

Amazon has sought ‌discounts from suppliers ranging from low single digits to as high as 30%, the report said, citing several vendor consultants.

The world's largest e-commerce ​platform had accelerated talks with some suppliers by several ‌weeks ‍and in individual cases had sought to ‍impose a January 1 deadline, the report added.

Last ‌year, Amazon agreed to raise the price it paid to some suppliers for tariffed goods in return for them guaranteeing minimum margins. The company sells goods directly and hosts third-party retailers, who account for more than 60 per cent of sales ‍on its platform, FT said.

The administration faces the possibility of having to refund nearly $150 billion paid in tariffs to importers if the court declares that the sweeping duties Trump has imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are illegal.