Washington:US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the United States will issue "rebates" if the country's Supreme Court decides to strike down "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by President Donald Trump on almost all of Washington's trading partners.

The remarks came after a federal appeals court last month ruled Trump overstepped presidential powers by imposing hefty duties.

Speaking during an appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press", Bessent said, "We would have to give a refund on about half the tariffs, which would be terrible for the Treasury...If the court says it, we'd have to do it."

Without citing details, the Treasury Secretary, however, said that there are "numerous other avenues" that can be taken on tariffs, though they would "diminish President Trump's negotiating position".

Earlier, during an interview with CBS News, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett stated that there were "other legal authorities" available to implement tariffs if the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration.

According to him, "Section 232" investigations, which were used to implement steel and aluminium tariffs, were among other options.

Source:Ndtv