Supreme Court Declines China Tariff Challenge, Leaving Duties in Place

The Supreme Court on June 15 declined to hear a challenge from businesses opposing President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China, which were imposed in 2018 under a different law than the emergency duties the high court struck down in February, Maureen Groppe reported for USA Today.

The ruling also leaves in place import fees that companies challenging the tariffs say cost American consumers nearly $75 billion annually.

The justices’ decision not to review a lower court ruling upholding those tariffs could embolden the administration as it seeks to replace many of the emergency tariffs Trump attempted to impose last year.

The ruling also leaves in place import fees that companies challenging the tariffs say cost American consumers nearly $75 billion annually.

At issue were tariffs imposed during Trump’s first administration under the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the US to respond to another country’s unfair trade practices.

President Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court during a Feb. 20, 2026, press briefing after the court blocked sweeping tariffs in a 6–3 decision, a ruling that complicated part of Trump’s economic agenda and limited executive power.