Gorsuch, Barrett side with liberals on nixing Trump tariffs
The Hill
by Ella LeeFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Two of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, joined the court’s liberal justices in a 6-3 decision to strike down most of Trump’s sweeping tariffs. These tariffs were considered one of the administration’s most significant economic and foreign policy initiatives during his second term. The ruling reflects a surprising shift within the court, as Gorsuch and Barrett sided with Chief Justice John Roberts and the court’s liberal wing to overturn the majority of the tariffs, which had been implemented despite opposition from key allies like Canada and the European Union.
The tariffs were initially imposed in 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, targeting imports of steel and aluminum. The administration argued that these measures were necessary to protect national security, but critics contended they disrupted global trade and harmed U.S. businesses. The Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the tariffs on procedural grounds, however, underscores the high court’s skepticism toward broad executive actions that bypass Congress.
This ruling marks a notable moment in the court’s history, as Gorsuch and Barrett, both appointed by Trump, aligned with the majority despite the administration’s push to uphold the tariffs. The outcome highlights the complexities of judicial decision-making and the balance between economic policy and constitutional constraints. It also raises questions about the future of trade agreements under the current administration.
For readers interested in politics, this case underscores the ongoing tension between executive authority and judicial oversight, particularly in matters of foreign and economic policy. The ruling not only impacts U.S. trade relations but also sets a precedent for how similar disputes will be addressed in the courts.
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Originally published on The Hill on 2/20/2026