U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Statement on Supreme Court Decision Invalidating Tariffs Imposed Under IEEPA

[Washington, DC] February 20, 2026 — The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) strongly supports the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), reaffirming that major economic policy must be grounded in clear legal authority and thoughtful consideration of its real-world impacts.

For Black-owned businesses across the country, these tariffs have not been abstract policy debates — they have translated directly into higher operating costs, disrupted supply chains, and impossible pricing decisions. Many minority-owned firms operate on tight margins with limited access to capital, making them especially vulnerable to sudden increases in the cost of goods, materials, and inventory.

As a result, countless businesses have been forced to raise prices on their customers simply to stay afloat, putting them at a competitive disadvantage and leading to lost contracts and reduced market share. These pressures slow growth, limit hiring, and weaken the ability of Black-owned businesses to build wealth and create jobs in the communities that depend on them.

“For our members, tariffs like these function as a direct tax on growth,” said Ron Busby Sr., President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. “When costs rise overnight, small and Black-owned businesses don’t have the luxury of absorbing the hit — they are forced to raise prices, delay hiring, or walk away from opportunities. The Court’s decision is an important step toward restoring predictability and fairness, but policymakers must now focus on ensuring small businesses can recover and compete on a level playing field.”

The Court’s decision provides much-needed clarity and stability, but more work remains. USBC urges policymakers to ensure that small businesses — including Black-owned firms — have a clear and equitable pathway to recover costs associated with now-invalidated tariffs.

We also call on Congress and the Administration to pursue trade and economic policies that lower costs, strengthen supply chains, and expand opportunity rather than impose broad, unpredictable burdens that fall hardest on small and minority-owned businesses.

Black-owned businesses are essential drivers of innovation, local investment, and job creation. They deserve a policy environment that supports their growth — not one that forces them to absorb disproportionate economic shocks.

USBC will continue to advocate forcefully for fair, lawful, and inclusive economic policies that allow our nation’s entrepreneurs to compete and succeed.