NPR | Friday, February 20, 2026 
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court said President Trump’s tariffs policies imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) are unconstitutional, dealing a major blow to the president’s signature economic policy. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the 6-3 opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Writing for the court’s majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said Trump lacked the peacetime authority to use IEPPA to pose tariffs. “In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it,” Robert wrote, concluding Trump has not. Trump had argued persistent trade imbalances and the flood of fentanyl coming into the country presented national emergencies and pose a threat to national security. During arguments before the court last year, Trump’s lawyers had said the president possessed the authority to issue tariffs. Roberts rejected that argument. “When Congress grants the power to impose tariffs, it does so clearly and with careful constraints,” he wrote. “It did neither here.” Justice Kavanaugh, who wrote the principal dissent, noted that the court’s decision had opened up a can of worms. “The United Sates may be required to refund billions of dollars to importers who paid the IEEPA tariffs, even though some importers may have already passed on costs to consumers or others,” he wrote…Read more