President Donald Trump made headlines earlier this year when he unilaterally imposed an array of tariffs on goods imported from a variety of countries.

That move sparked opposition, including from two educational toy companies who are asking the Supreme Court to hear their challenge.

Plaintiffs are questioning Trump's authority to tariff good made in China

According to NBC News, the two companies in question are Learning Resources and hand2mind, and they object to Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese made products.

NBC News noted that a federal judge in Washington has already ruled that the tariffs are unlawful, but his decision is on hold pending an appeal.

Learning Resources and hand2mind are seeking to have America's highest judicial body take up the matter in September despite the appeals court having yet to render a judgment.

"Even as these punishing tariffs cause American businesses and consumers to bleed billions of dollars each month, there will be no relief any time soon," the toy companies' lawyers said in court papers.

The plaintiffs went on to declare that the case has national ramifications as it addresses whether the president is empowered to "unilaterally reshape the national economy and global trade policy."

Court of International Trade ruled against tariffs in earlier case

NBC News noted that the controversy concerns Trump's powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law which President Jimmy Carter signed in 1977.

The IEEPA's provisions allow a president to regulate commercial interactions between the United States and other nations after a state of emergency has been declared.

Learning Resources and hand2mind are not alone in disputing Trump's IEEPA authority, as Breitbart reported that a three-judge panel at the New York-based Court of International Trade ruled on it in a separate case last month.

It determined that "Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs."

Appeals court blocked Court of International Trade ruling

Yet as Fox Business noted, the White House successfully petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to temporarily stay the lower court's block while it is being litigated.

Trump tariffs face legal battle as federal appeals court temporarily blocks trade ruling https://t.co/C4xe0JYVWg

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) May 29, 2025

The ruling was welcomed by White House spokesman Kush Desai, who told Fox Business that it was "a positive development for America’s industries and workers."