The decision centers on #tariffs imposed under an “emergency” powers #law, including the sweeping “reciprocal” #tariffs he levied on nearly every other country on earth.

It’s the first major piece of Trump’s broad agenda to come squarely before the nation’s highest court, which he helped shape with the appointments of 3 conservative jurists in his first term.

#law #economy #geopolitics #Trump #SCOTUS #affordability #inflation #CostOfLiving

#Trump has been very vocal about the case, calling it one of the most important in #US #history & saying a ruling against him would be an economic body blow to the country. But #legal opposition crossed the political spectrum, including #libertarian & pro-#business groups that are typically aligned with the #GOP. Polling has found tariffs are NOT broadly popular with the public, amid wider voter concern about #affordability.

#law #economy #geopolitics #SCOTUS #inflation #CostOfLiving

The #SCOTUS ruling comes despite a series of short-term wins on the court’s “emergency docket” that have allowed #Trump to push ahead with extraordinary flexes of #ExecutivePower on issues ranging from high-profile #firings to major federal #funding cuts.

#law #economy #tariffs #inflation #affordability #CostOfLiving #geopolitics

The #tariffs decision doesn’t stop #Trump from imposing duties under other #laws. While those have more limitations on the speed & severity of Trump’s actions, top admin ofcls have said they expect to keep the tariff framework in place under “other authorities”.

#law #economy #inflation #affordability #CostOfLiving #geopolitics #SCOTUS

The #Constitution gives #Congress the #power to levy #tariffs. But the #Trump administration argued that a 1977 #law allowing the president to regulate importation during “emergencies” also allows him to set tariffs. Other presidents have used the law dozens of times to impose #sanctions, but Trump was the first president to invoke it for #import #taxes.

#law #economy #inflation #affordability #CostOfLiving #geopolitics #SCOTUS

#Trump set what he called “reciprocal” #tariffs on most countries in April 2025 to address #trade #deficits that he declared a “national emergency”. Those came after he imposed extra #duties on #Canada, #China & #Mexico, ostensibly to address a “drug trafficking” “emergency”.
A series of lawsuits followed, including a case from a dozen largely Democratic-leaning #states & others from small #businesses selling everything from plumbing supplies to educational toys to women’s cycling apparel.

#law

The challengers argued the “emergency powers” #law doesn’t even mention #tariffs & Trump’s use of it fails several legal tests, including one that doomed President Joe Biden’s $500 billion student loan forgiveness program.

The economic impact of Trump’s tariffs has been estimated at some $3 trillion over the next decade, acc/to the #CBO.

#law #economy #inflation #affordability #CostOfLiving #geopolitics #Trump #SCOTUS

#Treasury has collected >$133 billion from the #import #taxes #Trump imposed under the emergency powers law, federal data from December says. Many companies, including the big-box warehouse chain Costco, have already lined up in court to demand #refunds.

#law #economy #tariffs #inflation #affordability #CostOfLiving #geopolitics #SCOTUS

#SCOTUS’ decision was 6-3.
Justices #ClarenceThomas, Samuel #Alito & Brett #Kavanaugh dissented.
Writing for the majority, Chief Justice #JohnRoberts said the #statute does not authorize the president to impose #tariffs.

“The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, & scope. In light of the breadth, history, & constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.”

#law

#Canada reacting exactly as we all should∶

“The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the use of #IEEPA tariff powers is a legal ruling, not a reset of #US #trade policy. This is certainly not the last chapter of this never-ending story,” said Candace Laing, the president & chief exec of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “Canada should prepare for new, blunter mechanisms to be used to reassert trade pressure, potentially with broader & more disruptive effects.”

#law #SCOTUS #Trump #tariffs

#Trump has not yet commented on the ruling, but he was particularly animated about the case Thurs while delivering remarks in Georgia.

“I have to wait for this decision,” he whined. “I’ve been waiting forever. Forever. And the language is clear that I have the right to do it as president. I have the right to put #tariffs on for national security purposes.”

Trump also repeatedly said the word tariff was his favorite word in the dictionary 🙄.

#law #economy #inflation #geopolitics #SCOTUS