Overview
- Justices from both blocs, including Chief Justice John Roberts, pressed the administration on whether tariffs function as taxes reserved to Congress.
- The dispute turns on whether IEEPA’s authorization to “regulate importation” permits tariff-setting, after lower courts ruled the president likely exceeded that statute and invoked the major-questions doctrine.
- The consolidated challenges target global “reciprocal” duties and fentanyl-related tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, while sectoral levies under other laws are not at issue.
- The tariffs remain in force as the court deliberates, with U.S. Customs reporting about $89–90 billion collected and businesses seeking potential refunds if the measures fall.
- The administration urges deference based on foreign affairs and national security and has asked for a swift ruling, as small firms and 12 states argue trade deficits and drug flows are not “unusual and extraordinary” emergencies under IEEPA.