Judicial ReviewConstitutional LawEconomy
October 6, 2025Supreme Court will decide if Trump tariffs exceed congressional authority under IEEPA
Learning Resources v. Trump tests emergency tariff powers
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.
Related Topics
2
Supreme Court strikes down Trump's IEEPA tariffs 6-3, ruling only Congress can tax imports
After a skeptical November argument, six justices held that a 1977 emergency-powers law never authorized tariffs, the taxing power the Constitution gives Congress.
A federal trade court struck down Trump's 10% global tariffs as unlawful — the second time in 2026
The 1974 Trade Act's emergency tariff power requires a balance-of-payments deficit the U.S. doesn't have; courts have now blocked both of Trump's global tariff authorities
19 questions
Start the review