US Supreme Court trashes Trump tariffs
Times of India
by CHIDANAND RAJGHATTAFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The US Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling against President Donald Trump's global tariffs, declaring them illegal in a 6–3 decision. The court found that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by imposing tariffs without explicit congressional approval. In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts argued that IEEPA was designed to regulate financial transactions during emergencies, not levy taxes through tariffs. He emphasized that the Constitution vests taxing power in Congress, and any delegation of such authority must be explicit.
The ruling upheld earlier decisions by lower courts, which had invalidated Trump's tariff policies. The dissent, led by conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, argued that the majority unduly restricted presidential power. They contended that IEEPA's broad language should allow for tariffs as a tool to address economic threats like currency manipulation and industrial overcapacity.
The decision has immediate implications, leaving much of Trump's tariff agenda in legal jeopardy. Economists estimate that billions in tariff revenue may need to be refunded, potentially reducing costs for importers and consumers. The ruling also marks the first major policy initiative of Trump's second term to be struck down by the Supreme
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026