WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 20, 2026 – Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) welcomes today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, holding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize broad-based tariffs without clear congressional approval.
The Court’s 6-3 ruling provides important clarity regarding the scope of executive authority and reaffirms Congress’s central role in trade policy.
“For wine and spirits wholesalers — and the restaurants, bars, retailers, and consumers we serve — certainty and predictability in trade policy are essential,” said Francis Creighton, President and CEO of WSWA. “Today’s decision restores clarity and helps stabilize an industry that depends on open markets and longstanding international partnerships,” said Creighton.
The tariffs at issue included a 10 percent base tariff on most imports, along with significantly higher “reciprocal” rates on certain countries. For the beverage alcohol sector, these measures functioned as direct taxes on American businesses and consumers, raising costs throughout the supply chain and placing additional pressure on hospitality businesses. With thousands of wine and spirits products that can only be made in specific geographic locations, these tariffs impacted products that simply couldn’t be replicated domestically.
Wine and spirits products are deeply integrated into global trade. American wholesalers serve as the critical link between international producers and local communities nationwide. Broad-based tariffs disrupted those relationships, increased prices, and created uncertainty for small U.S. businesses.
WSWA supports fair, rules-based trade and has consistently opposed the inclusion of beverage alcohol products in tariff disputes unrelated to the industry. WSWA has also urged policymakers to pursue negotiated solutions that strengthen U.S. economic interests without imposing unintended consequences on American businesses and workers.
Today’s ruling creates an opportunity to refocus on stable, durable trade policies that foster growth, protect jobs, and ensure consumers continue to enjoy access to a diverse marketplace of wine and spirits products.
WSWA remains committed to working with Congress and the Administration to advance long-term stability and growth for the entire beverage alcohol sector.
About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States.
To learn more, please visit www.wswa.org or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
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