Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs, Leaving Small Businesses Uncertain

Greenbar Distillery owner Melkon Khosrovian takes a wait-and-see approach after the ruling.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Small business owners like Melkon Khosrovian, the owner of Greenbar Distillery in Los Angeles, are taking a wait-and-see approach after the Supreme Court rejected former President Donald Trump's main tariffs on Friday. Khosrovian says he's "dubious" about getting any tariff money back or avoiding similar levies going forward, and has already invested in automation equipment to cut costs, which could lead to job losses.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court's decision leaves many small businesses in limbo, unsure if they will recoup the money they paid in tariffs or face similar trade barriers in the future. This uncertainty is forcing some owners like Khosrovian to make difficult decisions like investing in automation and cutting staff to contain costs.

The details

Last year, tariffs increased the prices Greenbar Distillery paid for glass bottles from China, exotic spices from India, and coffee from Brazil. While the tariffs ate up about 20% of the distillery's profit margin, Khosrovian says he didn't raise prices. Instead, he ordered $400,000 in equipment to automate bottling and other tasks, which is expected to arrive next week. These plans could change depending on what happens next with the tariffs.

  • The Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariffs in a 6-3 ruling on February 20, 2026.
  • Khosrovian's $400,000 in automation equipment is expected to arrive at Greenbar Distillery next week.

The players

Melkon Khosrovian

The owner of Greenbar Distillery, a small business in Los Angeles that makes classic liquors and specialty canned cocktails.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who implemented the tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court.

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What they’re saying

“We're not that confident we're going to either get the money back or not have to pay a similar amount of tariffs going forward. I'm dubious.”

— Melkon Khosrovian, Owner, Greenbar Distillery (The Post)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the government to appeal the Supreme Court's ruling.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing uncertainty and challenges facing small businesses as they navigate shifting trade policies. While the Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariffs, the long-term impact on companies like Greenbar Distillery remains unclear, forcing owners to make difficult decisions about automation and staffing that could have unintended consequences for local jobs and the broader economy.