The U.S. leader expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling that struck down emergency tariffs, and vowed to immediately impose a new 10% tariff worldwide, citing the 1974 law but noting it limits such tariffs to 150 days without Congressional approval.
On 21 Feb 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to revoke global import tariffs applied to multiple countries, calling the ruling “deeply disappointing” and “shameful,” while announcing an immediate 10% tariff on imports worldwide as a replacement.
Trump declared he would invoke Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to impose a temporary 10% tariff. This provision allows the president to levy tariffs to address severe balance of payments issues but limits the duration to 150 days and the rate to no more than 15% without Congressional approval.
Trump said the new measure would take effect immediately to replace the previous tariffs invalidated by the court, and hinted at possibly using other avenues such as Section 232, which requires investigation by the Commerce Department.
The Supreme Court’s prior ruling stated that the tariffs Trump imposed under the 1977 emergency powers law were unconstitutional because taxation authority resides with Congress, not the executive branch. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the Constitution’s framers did not grant tax powers to the executive. However, Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, with Kavanaugh asserting Trump’s tariffs were lawful.
The U.S. leader also unsubstantiatedly accused the majority judges of being influenced by foreign interests, responding “You’ll find out soon” when asked for evidence.
This case is one of the most critical issues of Trump’s economic policy. However, the Supreme Court did not clearly state whether private companies have the right to seek refunds, and Trump suggested he may resist refunding, saying it could take years of litigation.
Source: BBC, CNN