Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs, Shifting Business Landscape

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has struck down most of the tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ruling is expected to have far-reaching consequences for businesses that have been affected by the tariffs.

According to the court's decision, small businesses can now work with their customs brokers to run retroactive reports on their imported shipping entries, which may lead to a refund frenzy. This development is likely to bring relief to companies that have been struggling with the tariffs, but it's worth noting that some tariffs will remain in place.

In other news, Meta has announced a significant shift in its metaverse strategy. The company is pivoting its focus for Horizon Worlds to be "almost exclusively mobile" and will separate its Quest VR platform from the virtual world. This move marks a departure from Meta's initial vision for a virtual reality-based metaverse.

Meanwhile, the job market continues to struggle. With the number of job openings dwindling and layoffs on the rise, recruiters are shifting their focus from employers to job seekers. This trend, known as "reverse recruitment," has led to job seekers paying recruiters to help them get hired. According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, some recruiters are charging hefty fees, either a flat rate or a cut of the candidate's first-year salary, to help job seekers land a job.

In this bleak job market, startup founders are gearing up for a pitch battle. Nominations for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 are now open, offering startups the opportunity to pitch in front of top VCs and the full TechCrunch audience at Disrupt 2026 in October.

The Supreme Court's decision on tariffs is a significant development for businesses, and its impact will be closely watched in the coming months. As the job market continues to struggle, innovative solutions like reverse recruitment are emerging, and startups are preparing to pitch their ideas to investors. With Meta's metaverse strategy shifting, the tech landscape is evolving rapidly, and companies must adapt to stay ahead.

Sources:

• The Supreme Court Just Struck Down Most of Trump’s Tariffs—but Some Are Here to Stay
• The Supreme Court Just Struck Down Trump’s IEEPA Tariffs. Get Ready for a Refund Frenzy
• Meta’s metaverse leaves virtual reality
• In a job market this bleak, more candidates pay for ‘reverse recruiting’
• Prepare for pitch battle: Startup Battlefield 200 nominations are open