President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a trade announcement event at the White House on April 2, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
In a major decision, the Supreme Court of the United States has Blocks President Donald Trump’s tariff program, a ruling that could affect an estimated $175 billion in revenue.
In a 6–3 opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court determined that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) when he imposed sweeping tariffs on several countries.
Trump had relied on the law to justify tariffs targeting nations such as Mexico, Canada, and China. He argued the measures were necessary to address trade deficits, protect national security, and combat the flow of fentanyl into the United States. The president frequently praised the tariffs as a strategy to strengthen the U.S. economy and, on April 2, announced “reciprocal tariffs” aimed at multiple countries worldwide.
However, Chief Justice Roberts wrote that Congress has never clearly granted the president the “distinct and extraordinary power” to unilaterally impose tariffs of such magnitude. The opinion stressed that actions with major economic consequences require “clear congressional authorization,” which the Court found lacking in this case.
According to estimates from the Penn-Wharton Budget Model, roughly $175 billion in tariff revenue could be impacted by the ruling.
Legal analysts say the decision represents a significant check on presidential authority in trade policy and reinforces Congress’s constitutional role in overseeing major economic measures. The ruling may also shape how future administrations approach tariffs and other unilateral economic actions. https://dmtn1.com/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-blocks-trumps-175-billion-tariffs/
