Supreme Court rules Trump oversteps authority by imposing sweeping tariffs without clear approval from Congress under emergency statute.
The Supreme Court of the United States rules 6-3 that President Donald Trump exceeds his authority when he imposes sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly every US trading partner, marking a significant setback for his second-term agenda.
The decision carries major implications for the US economy, consumers and the president’s broader trade policy. The administration had warned that a loss could force the government to unwind trade agreements with other countries and potentially issue substantial refunds to importers.
Trump becomes the first president to argue that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act a 1970s emergency statute that does not mention tariffs allows him to unilaterally impose duties without congressional approval.
Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. says the law does not grant such expansive authority. He notes that the president claims “extraordinary power” to impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration and scope, but must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Brett M. Kavanaugh dissent from the ruling.
Trump invokes the emergency law early last year to set tariffs on imported goods from more than 100 countries, saying the move seeks to reduce the trade deficit, encourage domestic manufacturing, raise revenue and strengthen the United States’ position in trade negotiations.
