Trump Tariffs Still Pose "Huge Uncertainty" After Supreme Court Ruling

Experts say the administration is unlikely to back down from pursuing additional tariffs despite the court's decision.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:51pm

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The Supreme Court's ruling striking down President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs will not free U.S. companies from their concerns about the direction of trade policy, according to trade experts. There is "huge uncertainty" facing businesses and U.S. trading partners following the landmark decision, as the Trump administration is expected to continue pursuing avenues to stiffen import duties.

Why it matters

The court's decision, as well as Trump's response, raises fresh questions for U.S. businesses and foreign trading partners about the future of tariffs and trade policy. Some trading partners had negotiated deals at higher tariff rates than the new 15% level set by Trump, leading to concerns they may reconsider those agreements.

The details

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose broad-based tariffs, sharply curtailing the Trump administration's use of emergency powers in trade policy. However, Trump immediately responded by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose new 15% duties on imports, which are set to expire in 150 days unless extended by Congress.

  • On Friday, the Supreme Court struck down Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs.
  • On Saturday, Trump imposed a new 15% global tariff on U.S. imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
  • The new Section 122 tariffs are set to expire in 150 days unless extended by Congress.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who imposed a series of tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court, but who has vowed to continue pursuing additional trade duties.

William Reinsch

A senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the former president of the National Foreign Trade Council, who says there is "huge uncertainty" facing businesses and trading partners.

Jamieson Greer

The U.S. Trade Representative who said the administration will stand by its trade deals and expects its partners to do the same.

Bernd Lange

The chair of the European Parliament's international trade committee, who called the U.S. administration's actions "pure tariff chaos" and said "no one can make sense of it anymore."

Colin Grabow

A trade expert at the Cato Institute who says the Trump administration is "undeterred from its use of tariffs" and that the only certainty is "uncertainty."

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What they’re saying

“There is huge uncertainty" facing businesses and U.S. trading partners following the landmark decision.”

— William Reinsch, Senior Adviser, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CBS News)

“Pure tariff chaos on the part of the U.S. administration. No one can make sense of it anymore — only open questions and growing uncertainty for the EU and other U.S. trading partners.”

— Bernd Lange, Chair, European Parliament's International Trade Committee (CBS News)

“The only thing we know for sure is that we have an administration that is undeterred from its use of tariffs.”

— Colin Grabow, Trade Expert, Cato Institute (CBS News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.