Washington, February 21, 2026 – The Europe Today: US President Donald Trump on Friday described a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States overturning his sweeping global tariffs as “deeply disappointing,” saying he felt “absolutely ashamed” of the justices behind the 6–3 decision, according to media reports.
In a judgment with far-reaching implications for international trade and presidential authority, the court invalidated several of the broad tariffs imposed during Trump’s administration. The justices ruled that the law cited by Trump to justify the measures did not grant him the authority to enact such expansive trade duties.
The Trump administration had argued that the tariffs were lawful under a statute empowering the president to respond to national emergencies. However, the court determined that the emergency powers invoked did not extend to the broad imposition of global tariffs as implemented.
The ruling potentially opens the door to hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff refunds, marking a significant victory for small businesses and several US states that had challenged the measures in court. Plaintiffs had argued that the tariffs imposed substantial financial burdens and exceeded executive authority.
Legal analysts described the case as a crucial test of Trump’s broader efforts to expand presidential powers. The decision also underscored the independence of the court, where a majority of justices are considered conservative and were appointed during Republican administrations, including several by Trump himself.
The judgment is expected to have lasting consequences for US trade policy and the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress in matters of economic governance.
