President Donald Trump announced on February 21, 2026, that he would increase global tariffs from 10% to 15%, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down his previous tariffs. The court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize such broad import taxes. The move comes amid divided reactions from Republicans and potential refunds of billions in collected duties.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, declaring that President Donald Trump's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs was unlawful. The ruling struck down tariffs on imports from numerous countries, including Mexico, Canada, and China, which Trump had justified as emergency measures. Two Trump appointees, Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, joined the majority, while Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito dissented.
In response, Trump signed a proclamation that day imposing a 10% tariff on goods from around the world for 150 days, effective February 24, 2026, under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The White House stated this authority addresses international payment problems by stemming dollar outflows and incentivizing domestic production. Exemptions apply to certain goods from Canada and Mexico under existing agreements, as well as agricultural products like beef, tomatoes, and oranges.
The following day, February 21, Trump posted on Truth Social: "I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries... to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level." He described the court's decision as "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American," and accused some justices of being swayed by foreign interests. Trump praised the dissenting justices, calling Kavanaugh his "new hero" and stating they aim to "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
A YouGov poll showed 60% of Americans approve of the ruling, with Democrats at 88% support and Republicans divided at 30% approval versus 43% disapproval. Republican leaders reacted variably: Senator Rand Paul praised it for defending Congress's taxing power, while Vice President JD Vance called it "lawlessness." The decision leaves unresolved whether $133 billion to $175 billion in collected IEEPA tariffs must be refunded, with trade lawyers anticipating a chaotic process handled by lower courts and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. States like Illinois and Nevada have already sought reimbursements for economic impacts.
Trump indicated the administration would pursue new legally permissible tariffs in the coming months to continue his trade agenda.
