Supreme Court adds Feb. 20 decision day for tariff ruling

Court watchers expect a ruling in Chamber of Commerce v. United States, which challenges Trump's 100% tariffs on Chinese goods imposed in December 2025. Oral arguments occurred on Jan. 15, 2026.

The tariffs cost American businesses and consumers approximately $16 billion per month, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics. They cover $500 billion in annual imports from China.

The case centers on whether the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act gives presidents unilateral authority to impose tariffs. IEEPA authorizes economic sanctions during national emergencies, but doesn't explicitly mention tariffs.

During oral arguments, Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested IEEPA doesn't clearly authorize tariffs and that such major economic decisions require explicit congressional authorization under the major questions doctrine.

The Court could also rule on United States v

Texas (immigration enforcement), West Virginia v

EPA (greenhouse gas regulation), and Trump v Anderson (presidential pardon scope) All were argued in January.

The Court has faced criticism for declining to expedite challenges to Trump policies. Justices denied emergency requests to block deportations, EPA rule changes, and civil service firings.