President Donald Trump announced a novel round of tariffs at a rate of 15 percent on all goods imported into the United States, hours after the Supreme Court ruled against his administration’s authority to unilaterally impose such duties. The decision, delivered Friday, struck down a key element of Trump’s economic policy, finding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling, with Chief Justice John Roberts delivering the opinion, represents a significant defeat for the administration. The majority opinion stated that IEEPA “contains no reference to tariffs or duties” and that no previous president had interpreted the law as granting such power. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.
“The legal battle over Mr. Trump’s tariffs marked the first in which the Supreme Court evaluated the legal merits of one of his second-term policies,” according to reporting from CBS News. The court had previously allowed the president to enforce the tariffs temporarily while legal challenges proceeded, but Friday’s decision invalidates the broad, global application of the duties.
In response to the ruling, President Trump sharply criticized the court and its decision. “The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” he stated from the White House. He then proceeded to announce the new 15 percent tariffs, effectively circumventing the court’s decision by invoking a different, yet unspecified, legal authority.
The initial tariffs, imposed under the IEEPA, had covered nearly all imports, impacting a wide range of industries and trading partners. The Supreme Court’s decision potentially opens the door to billions of dollars in refunds to companies that paid the previously levied duties. CNBC reported that the U.S. Could owe as much as $175 billion in refunds.
The ruling stems from a challenge to the tariffs brought by a coalition of businesses and trade groups who argued that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority. The court agreed, emphasizing that the power to tax rests with Congress. The majority opinion highlighted that Trump imposed the tariffs without congressional input, a move deemed unconstitutional.
The new 15 percent tariffs, announced by President Trump, are expected to further disrupt global trade and potentially lead to retaliatory measures from other countries. The administration has not yet detailed the specific legal basis for these new duties, nor has it indicated whether it intends to seek congressional authorization. As of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, no statement has been issued by Congress regarding the legality of the newly imposed tariffs.
