Supreme Court strikes down Trumpera global tariffs, limits presidential tariff power
Feb 22nd 2026
A majority opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts found that tariffs are a form of taxation that Congress, not the president, may impose and held the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize broad tariff powers for the executive.
- The court ruled that tariffs are taxes and that Congress holds the constitutional authority to impose them.
- Justices concluded the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs and vacated the administrationimposed global tariffs affecting more than 80 countries.
- Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion and criticized the administrations expansive reading of executive authority to set unlimited tariffs.
- The decision departs from a recent pattern in which the courts conservative majority frequently ruled in the administrations favor on emergency or shadow docket matters.
- Former president Donald Trump publicly criticized the justices after the ruling, accusing them of bias.