Opinion | Will the Supreme Court’s Tariff Ruling ‘Destroy the United States of America’?

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by Natasha Sarin

February 20, 2026

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The Supreme Court has invalidated the Trump administration's tariffs, ruling that they exceeded presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. While President Trump had warned that such a decision would "literally destroy the United States," experts argue that the direct economic impact of tariffs is limited since imports account for just over 10% of the U.S. economy. However, the broader issue lies in the uncertainty and instability caused by frequent changes to tariff policies, which have been altered more than 60 times since Trump returned to office. This unpredictability makes it difficult for businesses to plan and invest, potentially having a more significant negative impact on the economy than the tariffs themselves. The court's decision highlights the limitations of presidential power in imposing economic sanctions without congressional approval. While Trump's administration attempted to justify the tariffs under emergency powers, the ruling emphasizes that such actions are not as broadly authorized as previously believed. This sets a legal precedent and raises questions about future trade policies, as the administration may seek alternative ways to impose tariffs. The economic implications of this ruling are significant but not catastrophic. The direct loss from tariffs is estimated at around $9

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/20/2026