Watching tariffs come down

SCOTUSblog

by Mark Walsh

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s tariffs on certain steel and aluminum imports were not authorized by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In a 6-3 decision, the court found that IEEPA does not grant the president the authority to impose such tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that the Constitution vests Congress with the power to regulate foreign trade, including tariffs, and that this authority cannot be delegated to the executive branch without explicit congressional consent. The decision marks a significant victory for legal challenges brought by domestic industries and international companies affected by the tariffs. The case, *Learning Resources v. Trump*, was argued by Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who defended the president’s policies, and Neal Katyal, who represented the challengers. The court heard oral arguments in November 2023, with Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Brett Kavanaugh expressing skepticism about the legality of the tariffs during the proceedings. Roberts noted that no president had invoked IEEPA to impose tariffs on such a large scale in its nearly 50-year history, which he described as “extraordinary” and inconsistent with congressional intent. In his opinion, Roberts highlighted Congress’s constitutional authority under

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Originally published on SCOTUSblog on 2/20/2026