Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs

February 21, 2026

TL;DR

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump's tariffs exceeded his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The ruling cited the "major questions" doctrine, asserting Congress must delegate significant powers explicitly.
The court did not decide on the issue of refunds for importers who paid the tariffs, estimated at over $200 billion.
Dissenting Justice Kavanaugh argued that the tariffs were a traditional tool for regulating importation and that the decision could destabilize trade agreements.
Chief Justice Roberts emphasized that IEEPA does not explicitly mention tariffs and that no prior president had interpreted it to grant such power.

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