BROWNSVILLE, Texas - As expected, the Supreme Court on Friday struck down most of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, on a 6-3 decision.
The Washington Post reports the ruling "deals a major blow to his signature economic policy and represents a stinging political setback."
The newspaper's story states:
"The justices ruled the president did not have the authority under a 1977 emergency economic powers law to impose a vast array of import levies on goods from nearly all of the nation’s trading partners.
"The decision is expected to reverberate widely, affecting global trade, consumers, companies, inflation and the pocketbooks of every American."
Editor’s Note: To read the full story in The Washington Post click here.
Jorge Torres is president of Interlink Trade Services. His customs brokerage firm works in McAllen, Pharr, Brownsville and Laredo. This is what he said about the Supreme Court’s ruling:
“Things will get complicated to say the least. We are waiting for Customs & Border Protection to let us know as to when these tariffs will not be applicable, if this will be retroactive and if all importers will be subject to a refund (if any) or only those that sued the government.
“Also, the administration more than likely has a Plan B, meaning they might assess tariffs via other means, such as Section 231 or Section 301.”
Torres notes that the Supreme Court ruling applies exclusively to IEEPA tariffs, including the Country-of-Origin Mexico tariffs. He pointed out that it does not apply to Section 232 tariffs such as autos, steel, aliminuim, copper, timber/lumber, and medium and heavy duty vehicles.
He said guidance from CBP will be forthcoming.
Torres added: “I am going crazy right now with emails, calls and messages.”
Farmers for Free Trade is thrilled with the decision by the Supreme Court to strike down the President's authority on global tariffs implemented through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
"Today's Supreme Court decision is an important step toward restoring predictability and the rule of law in American trade policy. Tariffs imposed under IEEPA have been devastating for American farmers, driving up costs for inputs like fertilizer, equipment, and parts while triggering retaliatory tariffs that cut off critical export markets. Farmers have been caught in the crossfire, paying more for what they need while losing access to the customers they depend on,” Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl said.
"Despite today's ruling, we remain deeply concerned that the administration will reimpose tariffs through other means. Any new approach would likely invite the same retaliation from our trading partners that has already caused so much damage to American farmers. Tariffs hurt farmers on both ends, raising what they pay and reducing where they can sell.
"The focus now must be on restoring stable trade relationships and expanding market access for American agricultural products, not finding new ways to harm farmers with tariffs. We urge the administration to work with Congress on comprehensive trade solutions that open markets rather than close them, and to resist the temptation to replace one problematic tariff authority with another. American farmers are the most productive in the world, but they need access to markets, not more barriers and retaliation."
The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is North America’s largest aerospace and defense labor union. Its president, Brian Bryant issued this statement:
“Arbitrary, snap tariff decisions—especially those targeting close allies like Canada—create uncertainty that endangers jobs in highly interdependent industries such as aerospace and manufacturing, raises prices for consumers, and makes it harder for businesses and workers to plan for the future. That instability also complicates collective bargaining, where predictability is essential to securing strong contracts and long-term job security.
“The IAM Union has long supported the use of targeted tariffs as one tool in a broader toolbox to protect workers from bad global actors who violate labor and human rights and undercut fair competition.
“The Supreme Court decision reinforces the U.S. Constitution’s clear assignment of authority to Congress to impose tariffs on foreign imports. Trade policy must be grounded in that framework and carried out with care.
“It is deeply troubling that throughout this process, it has been our members and everyday consumers who have shouldered the burden of these illegally imposed tariffs, while the very corporations that bankrolled this administration may now be first in line for rebates. Workers paid the price, so they should be the first ones to see relief.
“Trade policy should strengthen manufacturing and workers—not create unnecessary economic chaos.”
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts is ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Markey pointed out that small businesses have paid an estimated more than $70 billion in tariffs from March to December 2025. He said:
“This case was Small Businesses v. Trump, and small businesses won. While big businesses ducked the fight, relying instead on golden gifts and Mar-a-lago memberships to provide access and exemptions, small businesses took on this fight to end the pain on Main Street. Trump bet his economic agenda on an illegal power grab and lost. It is a moral obligation for this administration to return every last cent taken from small businesses by this illegal tax.”
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, of San Antonio, issued this statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is an affirmation that the president is not above the law. Congress has constitutional authority over tariffs, and I am glad to see the highest court uphold this. San Antonians and families across the country deserve lower costs, not reckless trade wars.”
We Pay the Tariffs is a grassroots coalition of over 800 small and micro businesses launched in 2025 to advocate against new tariffs imposed in 2025. The coalition filed an amicus brief in the IEEPA tariff cases. Members include restaurants, manufacturers, retailers, game companies, and other businesses from every U.S. region. The vast majority of members are micro businesses with 10 or fewer employees.
We Pay the Tariffs Executive Director Dan Anthony issued this statement:
"Today's Supreme Court decision is a tremendous victory for America's small businesses who have been bearing the crushing weight of these tariffs. Our coalition members, who through hard work, late nights, and sweat equity built local businesses, have paid billions in tariffs that never should have been imposed.
“They've taken out loans just to keep their doors open. They've frozen hiring, canceled expansion plans, and watched their life savings drain away to pay tariff bills that weren't in any budget or business plan. Today, the Supreme Court has validated what we've been saying all along: these tariffs were unlawful from the start.
“But a legal victory is meaningless without actual relief for the businesses that paid these tariffs. The administration's only responsible course of action now is to establish a fast, efficient, and automatic refund process that returns tariff money to the businesses that paid it. Small businesses cannot afford to wait months or years while bureaucratic delays play out, nor can they afford expensive litigation just to recover money that was unlawfully collected from them in the first place. These businesses need their money back now.
“With refund money back in their hands, American small businesses will do exactly what they've been telling us they would do all along: hire workers, expand operations, invest in inventory, pay down debt, and contribute to their local economies. Returning these funds will provide local economic impact from the ground up, putting money directly into the businesses that drive local job creation and economic growth.
“Small businesses are rightfully worried that the Administration will respond to this legal defeat by simply reimposing the same tariff policy through other means. Small businesses cannot afford for the administration to double-down on failed tariff policies. Tariffs imposed under IEEPA crippled small businesses; tariffs reimposed under different statutory approaches would have the same destructive effect. The path forward should prioritize refunds, not new rounds of tariffs under different names."
Editor's Note: The RGG Business Journal will bring more reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling as it comes in.
