U.S. President Donald Trump announces reciprocal tariffs at a declaration of "Day of Liberation" last April. [AFP = Yonhap News]

Speculation is emerging that the fate of "reciprocal tariffs" may be decided as the U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will issue rulings on major cases on the 9th (local time).

According to Reuters, the Supreme Court stated on its website on the 6th that it may announce decisions on cases to be heard during the justices' attendance on the 9th.

The Supreme Court did not specify which cases would be ruled upon.

Reuters highlighted the possibility of a ruling on the legality of reciprocal tariffs, which has garnered significant attention among the cases being heard by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is reviewing whether tariffs imposed by President Trump, who declared the U.S. trade deficit a national emergency and expanded the executive branch's authority, are legal.

This includes reciprocal tariffs imposed on various countries with arbitrary tax rates, as well as high tariffs imposed on China, Canada, and Mexico to pressure them to curb drug smuggling.

The Supreme Court has been examining the legality of President Trump's actions in imposing tariffs by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977, citing a state of emergency.

U.S. federal courts, in both the first and second instances, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that reciprocal tariffs are illegal.

The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled in May last year that reciprocal tariffs were invalid, citing abuse of presidential authority, and the Court of Appeals largely upheld the initial ruling in August last year.

The Supreme Court's composition of conservative and liberal justices is 6-3, and it has often produced decisions favorable to the conservative Trump administration.

However, there is speculation that the legitimacy of reciprocal tariffs may not be recognized as President Trump desires this time.

According to Reuters, during the hearing on November 5th last year, the justices, regardless of their liberal or conservative leanings, showed skepticism towards the legality of reciprocal tariffs.

Due to this atmosphere, President Trump has continuously expressed his anxious concern about the possibility of losing the case.

He stated on the social media platform Truth Social on the 2nd of this month, "It would be a terrible blow to America if we lose the ability to put tariffs on other countries that treat us unfairly."

On the 5th of this month, President Trump also asserted, "Thanks to tariffs, our country is much stronger financially and in terms of national security, and is more respected than ever before."

If reciprocal tariffs are definitively ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, it is anticipated that further confusion will arise both within and outside the United States.

The global economy could be affected due to the possibility of procedural shifts in the trade order re-established by the Trump administration with high tariffs.

Within the U.S., the Trump administration's policy-making approach, which seeks to maximize executive authority in nearly all matters, could be put to the test.

Reuters reported that the Supreme Court is also hearing cases related to voting rights and freedom of speech concerning LGBTQ+ counseling, indicating that the cases to be ruled on that day may not include reciprocal tariffs.