Supreme Court strikes down most Trump tariffs in 6-3 decision, sparking White House vow of a 10% global levy

The Supreme Court on Friday struck down most of President Donald J. Trump’s sweeping tariffs, ruling 6-3 that the administration exceeded its authority by relying on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose trade levies. Chief Justice John G. Roberts wrote the opinion for the Court, holding that "IEEPA contains no reference to tariffs or duties. The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word 'regulate' to authorize taxation. And until now no President has read IEEPA to confer such power."

Roberts added that the Court has a limited role in foreign economic policy: "We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs." Portions of the opinion were joined by Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, while the three liberal justices joined the result in full.

The ruling invalidates tariffs implemented under IEEPA, though it does not affect every levy the administration has put in place. The decision leaves unsettled how the government will treat billions in duties paid by importers; estimates put tariffs paid in 2025 at more than $200 billion. The Court explicitly declined to resolve whether and how importers should receive refunds.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the principal dissent, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. Kavanaugh argued that tariffs "are a traditional and common tool to regulate importation" and suggested the ruling "might not substantially constrain a President’s ability to order tariffs going forward" because other federal statutes could authorize similar measures.

The legal framework known as the major questions doctrine played a central role in the majority’s reasoning. Under that doctrine, the Court requires clear congressional authorization for executive-branch actions that have significant political or economic consequences. Chief Justice Roberts and other justices said the administration’s use of IEEPA failed that test.

President Trump reacted angrily at the White House, calling the decision a "terrible, defective decision" and "deeply disappointing," and said he was "ashamed of certain members of the court" and "Absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country." In a separate moment while meeting with the nation’s governors, a governor in the room said Mr. Trump was handed a note, announced the tariff decision to the group, called the decision a "disgrace" and left.

At a briefing, Mr. Trump assailed justices who voted against his policy as "fools" and "lap dogs," and insisted the administration would press ahead through other legal avenues. He said he would "circumvent the ruling" and announced plans to impose "an across-the-board 10% tariff on imports on global trade partners through an executive order." He defended the move as financially beneficial: "The end result is going to get us more money."

The ruling is a rare Supreme Court rebuke for an administration that currently benefits from a 6-3 conservative majority. It is likely to reshape the legal and political battle over tariffs in an election year by removing a prominent executive tool and by leaving open contentious questions about refunds, alternative statutory authorities, and whether Congress will act to re-authorize the types of levies the president has favored.