The cost of tariffs paid by U.S. households since Trump took office is huge

The report found that between February 2025 and January 2026, Americans paid more than $231 billion in total tariff costs. On average, this equates to more than $1,700 per household.

“president trump card“Tariffs have been a disaster for American families, driving up costs at the worst possible time,” Hassan said. “While the Supreme Court correctly ruled that much of Trump’s tariff agenda was an unlawful exercise of presidential power, today’s ruling cannot undo the damage the tariffs have already caused.”

Also read: What is IEEPA? The heart of Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs is law

The ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said the Trump administration’s interpretation of IEEPA would override the authority of Congress and break the “significant issues” doctrine, which requires major actions to be explicitly approved by Congress.

“The president must ‘point to Congress’ clear authorization’ to justify his extraordinary assertion of authority to impose tariffs,” Roberts wrote, adding, “He cannot.”

The court said the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to impose taxes and tariffs and that Trump exceeded his authority.