SCOTUS Tariff Decision Could Puncture Trump’s Oil Blockade

On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give Donald Trump the authority to “unilaterally impose tariffs.” Trump used the IEEPA — along with the National Emergencies Act and Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code — to justify his January 29 executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba.

On Tuesday, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said the ruling has removed the tariff threat over oil shipments to Cuba. She said her government is reviewing whether to recommence the shipments.