U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s use of emergencies law for tariffs

By Canadian Press on February 20, 2026.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down President Donald Trump’s use of a legal tool to deploy tariffs, reining in the president’s sweeping use of the national security statute to realign global trade.

Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, better known as IEEPA, for his “Liberation Day” tariffs and fentanyl-related duties on Canada, Mexico and China.

The United States top court found IEEPA does not give the president the power to impose tariffs.

Trump has warned repeatedly that if the court ruled against his tariff agenda, it would lead to catastrophic consequences for national security, foreign policy and the economy.

Republicans in Congress were much more wary about the president’s wide-ranging tariff agenda.

The decision does not affect Trump’s use of other tools to slam Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles, lumber and other industries with separate duties.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2026.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press