Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted tariffs were not a tax, but instead likened them to a "surcharge" or a "fee."
During a Wednesday press conference, Jon Decker of Gray Television noted that the U.S. Supreme Court was set to decide whether President Donald Trump had the authority to impose widespread tariffs.
"Why are the President's tariffs not taxes on imported goods?" Decker wondered.
"Well, that's easy, because tariffs are a surcharge, not a tax," Bessent replied. "They could be paid by the exporter, they could be paid by the country. When you go and get your driver's license, you pay a fee. Is that a tax?"
"I'm asking you the question, sir," Decker said. "And I just appreciate the answer to it."
"And if we, well, I'm giving you an answer that maybe you don't like," Bessent shot back.
The U.S. International Trade Administration defines a tariff as "a tax levied by governments on the value including freight and insurance of imported products."