In major blow to Trump, US Supreme Court strikes down his global tariffs
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump by striking down his global tariffs, which he had imposed under a 1977 law designed for national emergencies. The 6-3 ruling rejected Trump’s assertion of executive authority, with Chief Justice John Roberts stating that the president cannot justify such extraordinary measures without clear congressional authorization. This decision marks a major setback for Trump’s economic agenda and underscores the limits on presidential power over taxation.
The tariffs, which have been central to Trump’s trade war strategy since his second term, were designed to protect U.S. industries but instead triggered widespread global economic uncertainty. The Court’s ruling aligns with constitutional principles that reserve taxing authority for Congress, not the executive branch. This conclusion was reached in response to legal challenges from businesses and 12 states, many led by Democratic governors, who argued that Trump overstepped his authority.
While the majority decision did not address refunds for companies that paid billions in tariffs, Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s dissent defended the legality of the tariffs as a policy matter. The ruling, however, effectively limits Trump’s ability to impose tariffs unilaterally, which had been a key tool in his trade negotiations. Observers note that this precedent could restrict future presidents from similar actions.
The decision is seen as a major rebuke to Trump’s tariff-based approach to international relations and highlights the constitutional balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches. Rachel Ziemba, an expert on U.S. policy, described the ruling as a significant blow to Trump’s trade agenda, forcing him to rely on more collaborative strategies with Congress and public input.
This landmark decision not only impacts Trump’s economic policies
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026