Has Trump’s trade strategy lost leverage?
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade strategy by ruling that he cannot use emergency powers to impose tariffs without congressional approval. This decision marks a major setback for Trump’s second-term agenda and limits his ability to unilaterally implement trade policies. Despite the court’s ruling, Trump has found alternative ways to maintain trade barriers, keeping tariffs central to his economic policy. These measures aim to support U.S. manufacturing and generate revenue, underscoring how protectionism remains a key part of his strategy.
The case in question challenges Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico and Southeast Asian countries, which he claimed were necessary to address the national emergency declared by him due to irregular migration. However, the court determined that such actions exceeded presidential authority, requiring congressional approval for tariffs. This ruling sets a significant precedent, potentially restricting future presidents’ ability to bypass Congress on trade matters.
While the Supreme Court’s decision削弱ed Trump’s ability to enforce tariffs without legislative backing, it hasn’t stopped him from pursuing other means to maintain trade barriers. For instance, Trump has leaned heavily on Section
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026