Supreme Court will decide if Trump tariffs exceed congressional authority under IEEPA
Learning Resources v. Trump tests emergency tariff powers
Learning Resources v. Trump challenges whether President Trump's broad tariff orders exceed the authority Congress gave under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). The administration announced the IEEPA tariffs on April 2, 2025, and a baseline 10% tariff took effect April 5, 2025. The Supreme Court granted expedited review on Sept. 9, 2025 and consolidated the appeals for argument in the Court's first week of the November 2025 session, with argument set for Nov. 5, 2025.
Why this matters
Case will determine extent of presidential trade authority and whether Trump's tariff use exceeds constitutional limits. Ruling against Trump could require congressional approval for future tariff actions, dramatically limiting executive economic power. Ruling for Trump would validate broad presidential discretion over trade policy with minimal congressional oversight. Businesses face uncertainty about tariff policy stability depending on presidential politics. American consumers ultimately pay tariff costs through higher prices. The constitutional question affects separation of powers beyond trade policy.
Core Facts
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 April 2, 2025, with a universal 10% baseline tariff effective April 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.
Key Actors
Donald J. Trump
President
Announced IEEPA-based tariff orders on April 2, 2025, invoking an economic emergency and directing baseline and country-specific reciprocal tariffs. The administration defended the orders in appeals and asked the Supreme Court for expedited review.
Actionable Insights
Track the Supreme Court docket for Learning Resources v. Trump and Trump v. V.O.S. Selections
The Supreme Court consolidated the cases and set briefing deadlines in Sept. 2025, with argument in the first week of November 2025.
Contact your members of Congress about trade delegation
Ask lawmakers to consider statutory limits on emergency tariff authority if you oppose broad executive tariff power.
File trade remedies or petitions if tariffs harm your business
Use the U.S. International Trade Commission and Court of International Trade processes to raise product-specific harms while litigation proceeds.
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