Washington, Feb 21,2026: US President Donald Trump aggressively countered the Supreme Court after it struck down much of his sweeping tariffs, signing a new order imposing a 10 percent tariff on imports from around the world and saying the “adjustment process begins.”
The Supreme Court had struck down his broader tariff program, citing limits on presidential authority.
The new tariffs, enacted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, take effect “almost immediately” and will remain in place for up to 150 days. The move comes as part of Trump’s ongoing protectionist trade agenda, aimed at addressing balance-of-payments deficits and alleged unfair trade practices.
Trump criticised the Supreme Court ruling, calling it “deeply disappointing” and saying justices who voted against his prior tariffs “should be ashamed of themselves.” The 6-3 decision concluded that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give the president authority to impose sweeping import duties, a power reserved for Congress.
The ruling invalidated billions of dollars in tariffs previously levied under IEEPA, potentially requiring the government to refund between $130 billion and $175 billion in collected revenue. Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and three liberal justices, formed the majority. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.
Trump said the 10 per cent tariff order under Section 122 “begins an adjustment process” and pledged that “alternatives will be used” to replace the tariffs struck down by the court. He added that existing national security tariffs under Section 232 and trade remedies under Section 301 remain in effect.
The administration has also launched new investigations under Section 301 targeting “unfair trade practices,” which could lead to additional duties.
Trump hailed his previous tariff measures as boosting US revenues and supporting the stock market, while accusing the court of siding with foreign interests. He confirmed that recent bilateral agreements, including reciprocal tariff adjustments with India, would continue under the new legal framework.
