The Supreme Court of the United States issued a significant ruling holding that the president does not have authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs without clear authorization from Congress.
In a 6-3 decision, the Court emphasized that the Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the power to levy taxes and duties. While IEEPA allows the executive branch to regulate certain economic transactions during national emergencies, the Court concluded that the statute does not clearly authorize broad, ongoing tariff programs.
The decisions reinforce core separation-of-powers principles and place meaningful limits on the use of emergency powers in trade policy.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers will continue to monitor developments and their impact on the rule of law and the balance of powers.
