Episode 41 – Trump, Tariffs, and the Court

It's a landmark case: in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (2026), the Supreme Court declared Donald J. Trump's tariff regime unconstitutional. Specifically, the Court holds that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. Expectedly, the President denounced the decision and the three conservative Justices who went with the 6:3 majority, including Chief Justice Roberts. We are trying to make sense of it all with Prof. Christoph Frei.Prof. emeritus Christoph Frei teaches history of political thought, international governance, and world politics at the University of St.Gallen. An award-winning researcher and lecturer, he spent formative research years in the United States and has maintained strong ties to the States throughout his career.Further reading:Ilya Shapiro, Supreme DisorderClaudia F. Brühwiler, "Politiker in Roben? Der Supreme Court und der Vorwurf der Politisierung", Alexandria (full text) content / Richterzeitung (pay wall): Politiker in Roben?Oren Cass and the future of American conservatism | HSG Focus 25/01 (includes link to the podcast episode with Chris Griswold) und The Federalist Papers