Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariff Plan: A Major Setback

The Supreme Court invalidated President Trump's global tariffs, asserting that only Congress has the constitutional power to impose taxes, including tariffs. Despite the ruling, the Trump administration plans to continue using other legal authorities for tariff impositions.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Washington DC | Updated: 20-02-2026 20:55 IST | Created: 20-02-2026 20:55 IST
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariff Plan: A Major Setback
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In a landmark decision on Friday, the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's global tariff policy, a pivotal component of his economic strategy. The 6-3 verdict emphasizes that the Constitution distinctly confers the power to impose taxes, such as tariffs, to Congress.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, declared that the Framers did not allocate any taxing power to the Executive Branch. Dissenting, Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued the tariffs are lawful based on historical and legal precedent. The ruling marks the first major judicial scrutiny of Trump's policies that reached the Supreme Court.

Despite the setback, Trump's administration remains resolute, hinting at utilizing alternative legal pathways to maintain the tariff framework. Trump's tariffs, framed as 'reciprocal' and initiated to tackle trade imbalances, have drawn legal opposition and are economically significant, with a projected impact of USD 3 trillion over the next decade.

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