SCOTUS, tariffs, and the administrative state: What journalists need to know

On Wednesday, November 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in Learning Resources v. Trump, a case central to the fate of President Donald Trump’s wide ranging tariff regime imposed since he took office in January. At issue: Whether the president can levy tariffs by executive order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. While this particular case is about tariffs, the broader issue of the division of power between the executive and legislative branches is playing out along a number of dimensions in the federal government. In this webinar, The Journalist’s Resource and Econofact hosted an hourlong, on-the-record discussion about the potential economic consequences of the case, key legal arguments, and the history and future of administrative authority in the United States. Panelists discuss:

• How the Supreme Court’s decision could affect the economy.
• Which tariffs would be halted or continued.
• Legal concepts central to the case, including the major questions doctrine.
• The administrative state and unitary executive theory, which holds that the president has sole authority over the executive branch.
• Your questions!

Panelists:

Naomi Lamoreaux, the Stanley B. Resor Professor Emeritus of Economics and History at Yale University, senior research scholar at the University of Michigan Law School, and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Oren Tamir, an associate professor of law at the University of Arizona who teaches about administrative law, constitutional law and comparative public law.

Michael Klein, the William L. Clayton Professor of International Economic Affairs at Tufts University and founder of Econofact.

Clark Merrefield, senior editor for economics and legal systems at The Journalist’s Resource, moderator.