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Why did the Supreme Court rule that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize President Trump’s tariffs?
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Major Supreme Court Cases from the 2025–26 Term
The west facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
In the case of Learning Resources v. Trump, the Supreme Court ruled in a 6–3 decision that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs.12
The Court’s reasoning was based on several key points:
- Constitutional Authority: The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., noted that Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly assigns the power to lay and collect duties and tariffs to Congress.1
- Statutory Text: Roberts argued that the IEEPA’s language regarding the power to "regulate importation" does not clearly encompass the authority to impose tariffs, a term that appears nowhere in the law.1
- Major Questions Doctrine: The Court applied the "major questions doctrine," which holds that federal laws cannot be interpreted to delegate vast economic or political powers unless such authority is clearly and explicitly identified by Congress.12
The Court concluded that because the power to impose tariffs is of such magnitude, it cannot be assumed to be delegated under the IEEPA without clear legislative authorization.13