The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) issued the following statement following the Supreme Court of the United States’ 6–3 ruling that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unconstitutional.
“IFPA welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision clarifying the limits of IEEPA and reaffirming that broad, country-specific tariffs fall outside its intended scope. The global trade of fresh produce is essential to the health and well-being of people in every nation, and today’s ruling helps restore predictability to a uniquely complex, seasonally driven marketplace.
“While targeted tariffs can be a tool for addressing inequities between trading partners, the broad application of this blunt instrument can disrupt markets, raise consumer costs, and place unnecessary strain on growers and producers across the supply chain. IFPA’s successful advocacy for key exemptions in 2025 underscored the importance of protecting access to fresh fruits and vegetables that cannot be grown domestically at scale or year-round.
“IFPA does not believe tariffs should be used as a default response to every trade concern facing the United States, nor should this ruling simply prompt a shift to other tariff authorities. Instead, IFPA hopes this ruling allows policymakers to move beyond broad tariff actions and continue working toward lower trade barriers that ensure affordable access to fresh produce and floral products.
“While tariffs have been one challenge for the fresh produce and floral sectors, IFPA appreciates the administration’s commitment to easing regulatory burdens and supporting American agriculture and looks forward to working with policymakers on long-term solutions — such as equitable trade agreements, regulatory reform, and workforce stability — that strengthen food security and ensure affordable, accessible produce for all families.”
IFPA also provided the following background on IEEPA tariffs:
There are several categories of IEEPA-related measures imposed by President Trump. First, under the fentanyl and migration justification, tariffs include 35% on most goods from Canada (with a reduced 10% rate for certain energy imports under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement exemption), 25% on most goods from Mexico (with a reduced 10% rate for potash imports under the USMCA exemption) and 10% on most goods from China.
Second, under the reciprocal and trade deficit justification, the president established a baseline 10% tariff on imports from all trading partners through an executive order issued April 2, 2025, with higher, country-specific rates applied in some cases; certain products are exempt, including those listed in Annex II, which has been modified multiple times to exclude additional products from IEEPA-related tariffs.
Finally, other IEEPA tariff announcements include 40% tariffs on select goods from Brazil, 25% tariffs on most goods from India and 25% tariffs related to Venezuelan oil applied to designated countries.
