Key Highlights
- The Supreme Court decision limits the President's ability to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
- Most tariffs enacted by Trump since last year are affected, except those on steel and aluminum from his first term.
- Chief Justice Roberts emphasized that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, reinforcing constitutional boundaries.
In a 6–3 decision today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs require clear, explicit authorization from Congress, and that the sweeping global tariffs levied by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are illegal.
“The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it,” Robert wrote for the court.
The ruling impacts most of the tariffs Trump has enacted since last year, but not fees on steel and aluminum imports that he enacted in his first term and former President Joe Biden continued.
Tariffs that are impacted by this decision include:
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Drug-trafficking tariffs: 25% on most Canada/Mexico imports, 10% on most China imports incuding 20% on drugs from China
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“Reciprocal” tariffs: ≥10% on all imports, with dozens of nations facing higher rates and with some carve‑outs.
Some manufacturers have been anticipating this ruling, and have been quietly hiring lawyers or submitting official claims to the U.S. government in an early effort to secure a tariff refund.
The court did not prescribe a refund process, and it is anticipated that guidance will be forthcoming from the Treasury department over timing, eligibility, documentation, as refunds could reach billions of dollars.
- What’s next for Trump’s tariffs, and how quickly will manufacturers feel the effects? In early 2025, Plant Services managing editor Anna Townshend outlined the potential levers available to Trump for his planned tariffs, including what might be available to his administration beyond the IEEPA.
More tariff coverage
Several of Plant Services parent company EndeavorB2B's brands are writing about the Supreme Court ruling. For more information, read:
- Supreme Court Strikes Down Most Trump Tariffs: IndustryWeek's Robert Schoenberger summarizes key ruling details and their impact across U.S. manufacturing.
- Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era tariffs, raising implications for infrastructure costs: Wastewater Digest's Alex Cossin notes that the ruling had been closely watched by infrastructure groups as tariff costs impacted the price tags on big civic projects.
- Supreme Court hands Trump tariffs plan a setback: T&D World's Jeff Postelwait breaks down which justices voted with the majority and which dissented.
- Tariffs Struck Down by Supreme Court: MH&L's Adrienne Selko captures comments from the National Retail Foundation and National Association of Wholesale Distributors.
- Supreme Court Strips Trump's Emergency Tariff Authority: Chemical Processing's Traci Purdum details next steps for chemical producers.
About the Author
Thomas Wilk
editor in chief
Thomas Wilk joined Plant Services as editor in chief in 2014. Previously, Wilk was content strategist / mobile media manager at Panduit. Prior to Panduit, Tom was lead editor for Battelle Memorial Institute's Environmental Restoration team, and taught business and technical writing at Ohio State University for eight years. Tom holds a BA from the University of Illinois and an MA from Ohio State University