NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

SUMMARY

The Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump's tariffs in a blow to his agenda. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that he did not have the authority under an economic emergency law to issue such levies. The president responded, saying he would impose a global 15% tariff under a different law. Geoff Bennett spoke with News Hour Supreme Court analyst and SCOTUSBlog co-founder Amy Howe.

View the transcript of the story.

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Key Terms

tariff — a tax on imported or exported goods

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What was the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs?
2. How did President Trump react to the ruling?
3. Who is Amy Howe, and what is her background?
4. What open question did the Supreme Court leave in their decision?
5. Why is it damaging for the president to attack the Supreme Court, according to Howe?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• What do you think the impact of the Supreme Court ruling will be on the economy?
• What do you think the impact of the ruling will be on the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government?

Media literacy: What do you still want to know about the Trump administration's economic policies and why the Supreme Court decided Trump's tariffs were unconstitutional? How could you find out?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Watch the following segment featuring the small business owner whose lawsuit led to the Supreme Court decision. Then, as a class, discuss —

• How was Rick Woldenberg's business impacted by the tariffs?
• How will the Supreme Court decision affect his business going forward?
• After watching this segment, do you have a better sense of how tariffs might impact the economy in your own community? How do you think the Supreme Court decision (and Trump's response) might impact your own life?

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