Washington – The Supreme Court has ruled on the issue of tariff authority and the executive branch. In a ruling today, the Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the breadth of powers claimed by the Administration to impose tariffs. The Court found that the statute could not support the tariffs at issue.
The ruling is expected to limit the Administration’s ability to rely on emergency powers to impose wide-ranging tariffs, though tariffs adopted under other, more specific statutory authorities remain unaffected.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has said that, outside of Congressionally mandated tariffs, these restrictions are a tool in negotiations over trade disputes, and that policymakers should negotiate in good faith and treat commerce fairly on all sides.
CCIA has advocated for trade policies that promote open markets and technology industry exports for over 50 years.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers:
“This opinion makes clear that tariffs are taxes, and that Congress has a Constitutional role in their imposition. As Congress takes up this role, it should ensure tariffs are narrowly targeted at remedying discrimination against U.S. exports abroad. U.S. exporters continue to face serious obstacles overseas, but the tools exist to resolve these challenges.”
The following can be attributed to CCIA Vice President for Digital Trade Jonathan McHale:
“This Supreme Court decision caps a year of turbulence in trade policy that we are all working to adapt to. With this decision behind us, we look forward to bringing more stability to trade policy. We welcome the opportunity to work with the administration to address outstanding digital trade barriers through a deliberative process using targeted trade tools.”
