Supreme Court will decide if Trump tariffs exceed congressional authority under IEEPA

Learning Resources Inc., an 🌽Illinois educational toy maker, sued the government over tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The company argued the orders exceed the authority Congress delegated in IEEPA.

The administration announced major IEEPA-based tariff actions on Apr. 2, 2025, with a universal 10% baseline tariff effective Apr. 5, 2025 and additional country-specific surtaxes announced then.

The Supreme Court granted certiorari before judgment and consolidated Learning Resources (No. 24-1287) with Trump v. V.O.S. Selections (No. 25-250) on Sept. 9, 2025. Oral argument is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2025.

Lower federal courts, including a Court of International Trade panel and the Federal Circuit, ruled the challenged IEEPA tariff orders exceeded executive authority and enjoined enforcement; those rulings were stayed pending appeal to the Supreme Court.

The litigation raises two central questions: whether IEEPA authorizes broad tariff-making and whether that delegation violates the nondelegation or major questions doctrines.