The US Supreme Court banned Donald Trump’s tariffs on February 20, 2026. That means now the tariff will not be valid on any country in the world. On this decision of the Supreme Court, Trump in the press conference described this decision as extremely disappointing and said that he is ashamed of some members of the Supreme Court of the United States, and also criticized their decision. Trump said that till now he had been treading very carefully so as not to upset the courts. But now they have other options also.
Alternative measures will be used on tariffs
Trump is continuously attacking the judges who ruled against him in the tariff case and is arguing that he has won the presidential election, so the judges should not rule against him. Trump said on the judges, ‘They are very undemocratic and not loyal to our Constitution.’
Donald Trump said alternative measures will be used on tariffs after the US Supreme Court struck down his global tariff policy, indicating that his administration will pursue other options to advance its trade agenda.
Trump claimed that he can impose measures like imposing a complete ban or stopping trade with a particular country. However, he also said that under the court’s decision, they ‘cannot impose any fine’. His statements indicate a possible escalation in trade policy and renewed tensions with global partners.
Only the US Parliament has the right to impose tariffs: Court
The US Supreme Court has canceled President Donald Trump’s global tariff on February 20, 2026. The court has declared the tariffs imposed on other countries illegal. This means that the 18% reciprocal tariff imposed on India has also now been declared illegal. The Supreme Court, while giving its verdict with a majority of 6-3, said that under the Constitution, only the Congress (US Parliament) has the right to impose taxes and tariffs, not the President.
The court said that Trump misused the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allows to control some international transactions in a national emergency, but not to impose tariffs on such a large scale.
IEEPA law does not allow President to impose tariffs: Court
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion on this decision. Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and the court’s three liberal judges agreed with him. The dissenting judges included Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh. The court clarified that a 1977 law like IEEPA does not give the President the power to impose such broad tariffs.
Earlier, Trump had said regarding the hearing on tariffs that if he lost the case, the country would be ruined. This decision of the court is being considered a big blow to Trump’s economic policies.
Will Trump return the tariff money?
So far, the Trump administration has levied tariffs of more than $175 billion. After the decision of the Supreme Court, now this amount may have to be returned. However, no decision has been taken yet on refund. The Trump administration had earlier said that if the case was lost, trade agreements with many countries may have to be withdrawn and huge refunds may have to be paid.
Tariff game started 10 months ago
In April 2025, citing national security, Trump had imposed heavy tariffs i.e. import duties on goods coming from many countries of the world. Tariff means that more tax is imposed on goods coming from a country, so that it becomes expensive and domestic companies benefit.
