WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump vowed Friday to reimpose a 10% global tariff on all imports, hours after the Supreme Court struck down his previous attempt to levy sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The move, announced during a hastily arranged press briefing at the White House, signals the president’s intent to pursue steep tariffs despite the legal setback.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, delivered February 20, 2026, found that IEEPA does not grant the president unilateral authority to impose tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, stated the president “must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise” such power, a standard Trump’s previous tariffs failed to meet CBS News reported.
“I’m absolutely ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” Trump said, echoing sentiments expressed in earlier statements. He characterized the plaintiffs in the lawsuit challenging the tariffs as “sleazebags” and dismissed concerns about the economic impact of his policies. The president also claimed there were “great” alternative methods available to achieve his economic goals, promising even greater revenue than the invalidated tariffs.
The original tariffs, implemented in 2024, targeted goods from nearly every country, ostensibly to protect national security interests. However, the measures drew widespread criticism from trading partners and domestic businesses alike, who argued they raised costs for consumers and disrupted global supply chains. Companies had already begun seeking refunds on tariffs paid prior to the court’s ruling, anticipating the legal challenge would succeed USA TODAY reported.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a rare rebuke of Trump’s expansive view of presidential power, and the first major decision against his economic agenda during his second term. The court’s conservative majority, despite the dissent of Justices Kavanaugh, Thomas, and Alito, sided with challengers who argued the president had overstepped his authority. The decision throws U.S. Trade policy into uncertainty, reversing a cornerstone of Trump’s economic strategy.
Trump indicated he would circumvent the court’s decision by invoking Section 122 of federal law, authorizing a 10% global tariff. He also stated he was exploring other avenues for imposing tariffs, though details remained scarce. “If the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE’RE SCREWED!” Trump warned last month, according to The Associated Press. He predicted the country would be liable for “many Hundreds of Billion of Dollars” in refunded tariffs and “Trillions” in lost investment.
The immediate impact of the newly announced tariffs remains unclear, as legal challenges are expected. The Biden administration, which had previously signaled its intention to review Trump’s trade policies, has yet to comment on the latest developments. The ruling and subsequent response have added further volatility to global trade markets, with analysts predicting continued uncertainty in the coming months.
