SCOTUS rules Trump’s tariffs are illegal — but the fight is far from over
The Verge
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign imports are illegal, marking a significant blow to one of his signature policies from the second term. The court’s decision specifically addresses duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law designed to limit presidential authority to declare national emergencies to external threats. This marks the first time in history that IEEPA has been used to justify tariffs, raising questions about its legality since Trump announced these measures last year.
The case centered on whether the IEEPA could be applied to impose tariffs, which were originally justified as a response to foreign trade practices. However, legal experts and critics argued that the law was intended for emergencies involving external threats, not economic disputes with other countries. The Supreme Court’s ruling invalidates portions of these tariffs, though the broader implications remain unclear. This decision could set a precedent for how future presidents use IEEPA and other emergency powers to influence trade policies.
For readers interested in tech, this ruling matters because Trump’s tariffs impacted technology imports and global supply chains, affecting companies reliant on international trade. The court’s decision may also prompt a reevaluation of how U.S. trade policy is shaped, potentially influencing future tech-related trade negotiations. While the fight over these tariffs is far from over, the Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the delicate balance between presidential authority and congressional oversight in matters of national security and economic policy.
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Originally published on The Verge on 2/20/2026