Chamber reacts to Supreme Court striking down tariffs

NEW YORK, NY (February 20, 2026) — Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement regarding today’s Supreme Court decision declaring the Administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs as unlawful:

"For the past year, New York City’s retailers, manufacturers, and small business owners have been forced to navigate a minefield of fast-changing trade rules. This uncertainty didn't just hit balance sheets; it hit Main Street, making it nearly impossible to plan inventory, manage contracts, or price products predictably.

Let’s be clear: while the United States must confront unfair trade practices, blunt enforcement measures often do more harm than good here at home. The costs and instability caused by these tariffs forced too many Manhattan businesses to freeze hiring and investment, pass costs on to consumers, or—in the worst cases—close their doors entirely.

Our message to Washington is simple: We need permanence, not a pivot. We urge federal lawmakers to respect the finality of this ruling and resist the temptation to immediately reimplement these levies through alternative legal channels.

Manhattan businesses are resilient, but they don't need regulatory whiplash—they need certainty so they can invest, hire, and grow."