Donald Trump · Republican · Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court Strikes Down the IEEPA Tariffs (Learning Resources v. Trump)
Feb 20, 2026
Donald TrumpTrade & EconomySupreme Court RulingSecond term (2025–)
📜 View the official record on federalregister.gov
What happened
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize tariffs, invalidating both the April 2025 'Liberation Day' reciprocal tariffs and the fentanyl/border tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.
How it happened
The Court, per Chief Justice Roberts, applied the 'major questions doctrine,' holding the tariff power belongs to Congress. All IEEPA tariffs terminated February 24, 2026.
Documented impact
Negative impactsubstantiated
The administration's signature tariff program was ruled unlawful.
The 6-3 majority (Roberts with Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Barrett, Jackson) found IEEPA's 'regulate importation' power does not include tariffs; Thomas, Kavanaugh and Alito dissented.
Mixed impactsubstantiated
Trump quickly replaced some tariffs under other authority.
Within hours the President imposed a new 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 (later raised toward 15%); refund questions for previously paid IEEPA tariffs were remanded to lower courts.
Sources
Every claim above links to its source. Primary record and cited reporting: