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Feb. 20, 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that President Donald Trump lacks the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The 6-3 decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, strikes down the tariffs initiated in 2025, which have totaled a record-breaking estimated $200 billion in collected duties.
What this ruling means for the optometric industry is unclear. The majority opinion does not address whether previously collected tariffs must be refunded, leaving open the possibility that companies could seek repayment of duties already paid to the federal government.
The president wrote in a Jan. 12 social media post that determining refund amounts would be complicated, saying “it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay.” He added that such an effort “would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay.” Importers and customs experts, however, have pushed back on that characterization, arguing that the refund process should be relatively straightforward.
This is a developing story. Stayed tuned for updates.
