WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Friday struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling that he exceeded his authority by imposing the duties without clear approval from Congress.
In a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court upheld a lower court’s finding that Trump misused the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy tariffs on nearly all US trading partners. The ruling said the administration’s interpretation of the law intruded on Congress’s constitutional authority over taxes and tariffs and violated the “major questions” doctrine.
Under that doctrine, executive actions of vast economic and political significance must have explicit authorisation from Congress. Roberts wrote that the president must point to clear congressional approval to justify such an extraordinary assertion of power — something the court found Trump failed to do.
Trump had relied on IEEPA, a law historically used to impose sanctions or freeze assets during national emergencies, to justify the tariffs. The statute does not specifically mention tariffs. His administration argued that the law’s provision allowing the president to “regulate” commerce gave him the authority to impose import taxes.
The legal challenge was brought by several businesses affected by the tariffs and 12 US states. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority split in the ruling, with Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissenting. Joining Roberts in the majority were Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and the court’s three liberal justices.
Trump had made tariffs a central pillar of his economic and foreign policy agenda, launching a global trade campaign after returning to office in January 2025. The measures strained relations with key allies, disrupted markets and fueled economic uncertainty.
Economic estimates cited in the case showed that tariffs imposed under IEEPA had generated more than $175 billion, with projections suggesting hundreds of billions more over the next decade. With the court’s ruling, some of those revenues may need to be refunded.
The US Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the authority to impose taxes and tariffs. While Trump has enacted additional tariffs under separate statutes — including those tied to national security and unfair trade practices — the court’s decision specifically addressed duties imposed under IEEPA.
Following arguments in the case last year, Trump signaled he would explore alternative legal avenues if the court ruled against him. Administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have indicated they may pursue other statutory justifications to maintain parts of the tariff regime.
The case stemmed from three lawsuits, including challenges by small businesses and multiple states. Lower courts had ruled that Trump’s use of IEEPA to impose broad-based tariffs exceeded the powers granted by Congress — a conclusion the Supreme Court has now affirmed.