Can Trump still impose tariffs after the Supreme Court ruling?
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s global tariffs were illegal, marking a significant blow to his trade policy agenda. In a 6–3 decision, the court determined that Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs. The majority concluded that IEEPA was intended for addressing specific national emergencies, such as asset freezes or transaction blocks, rather than overhauling U.S. trade policy through broad tariffs.
The case is a landmark challenge to Trump’s policies, despite his efforts to reshape the court with three conservative appointments during his first term. While Trump expressed disappointment with the ruling, the dissenters—Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh—argued that other legal avenues might still allow him to impose tariffs. This suggests Trump could pursue trade restrictions under different statutory frameworks.
The decision also raises significant financial implications, as Oxford Economics estimates over $130 billion in tariffs have been collected since 2018. The ruling now remands the case to the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) to determine if companies must be refunded for tariffs paid under these emergency declarations. This could lead to a lengthy legal battle, with businesses likely seeking compensation.
The Supreme Court’s ruling highlights the delicate balance between executive and legislative powers in shaping U.S. trade policy. It
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026