Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs in 6–3 Decision
SEATTLE — The Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) welcomes today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the Trump Administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and many of the United States’ key trading partners.
In a 6–3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court held that the President exceeded his statutory authority under IEEPA in imposing the so‑called “Liberation Day” tariffs and other broad emergency‑based import duties. The Court concluded that IEEPA “does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” emphasizing that the Constitution assigns Congress the exclusive power “to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises.” Chief Justice Roberts noted that the Administration “points to no statute” granting authority for tariffs of such unlimited magnitude, duration, and scope, and highlighted that in IEEPA’s 50‑year history, no president had ever relied on it to impose tariffs.
Lori Otto Punke, President of WCIT, said:
“Today’s ruling is an important step forward for the Northwest’s businesses, workers, and consumers. For more than a year, these tariffs have caused serious harm—triggering retaliatory duties on key agricultural exports, eroding markets for goods and services, increasing construction and production costs, disrupting cross-border supply chains, and reducing price competitiveness. From apples to wine, from advanced manufacturing to wood products to technology and innovation, the Supreme Court has now affirmed that trade policy of this magnitude must rest on proper legal authority.”
WCIT has been a consistent and principled voice against the IEEPA tariffs, documenting their significant costs to Northwest businesses and households. The Northwest is among the most heavily affected regions in the country. WCIT research found that the tariffs threatened to impose billions of dollars in new annual costs on regional importers and exporters, disrupted key sectors including agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, and strained long‑standing trade relationships with Canada, Mexico, China, and other essential partners.
“This decision reaffirms a foundational principle of our constitutional system: that Congress—not the executive branch alone—holds the authority to set taxes tariffs,” Punke added. “We are hopeful this ruling opens the door to a more collaborative, bipartisan approach to trade policy—one that supports American exporters and importers, protects consumers from higher prices, and preserves our critical global relationships. WCIT looks forward to working with the Administration, Congress, and our trading partners to restore greater certainty and predictability in U.S. trade policy.”
The Court’s ruling applies specifically to tariffs imposed under IEEPA authority, including the broad “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs and emergency levies affecting Canada, Mexico, and China. It does not affect tariffs imposed under other authorities, such as Section 232 or Section 301.
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WCIT is the Northwest’s premier organization advocating for trade and investment policies that increase the competitiveness of Northwest workers, farmers, and businesses. Our diverse membership includes small and medium-sized companies, Fortune 500 businesses, and agricultural producers that together represent industries ranging from manufacturing, food, and retail to technology and science.