US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s sweeping tariffs ahead of China visit
South China Morning Post
by Khushboo Razdan,Mark Magnier,Bochen Han,Xinmei Shen,Lucy QuagginFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump's trade strategy by upholding a lower-court ruling that invalidated his sweeping tariffs on China. The decision, which came just days before Trump was set to begin his highly anticipated visit to Beijing, raises questions about the future of U.S.-China trade relations.
The tariffs, implemented in 2018, were part of Trump's broader effort to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China and exert pressure on Chinese practices deemed harmful to American interests. However, the Court ruled that the tariffs violated international law principles, such as the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute-resolution system. This decision effectively nullifies a key component of Trump's "America First" agenda.
The timing of the ruling is particularly notable, as it arrives just weeks before Trump's March 31 to April 2 visit to China—a trip that was exclusively reported by the South China Morning Post. The decision could complicate negotiations between the two sides, potentially setting a tougher tone for discussions on trade and other issues.
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/20/2026