SUNTV GLOBAL CHANNEL — February 20, 2026
In a dramatic escalation of his trade battle, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new 10% global tariff on imports, just hours after the United States Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
Speaking angrily from the White House on Friday, Trump said his administration would push ahead with its “America First” trade agenda despite what he called a “disgraceful” ruling by the nation’s top court.
According to the President, the new tariffs will be imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a rarely used provision that allows temporary import surcharges to address balance-of-payments problems. However, the law limits such tariffs to 150 days unless Congress approves an extension.
Trump declared that all existing national-security tariffs—including those imposed under Sections 232 and 301—would remain fully in force alongside the new global levy.
The announcement came shortly after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump exceeded his authority when he used emergency powers to impose sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs in 2025.
In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts stressed that the constitutional power to impose taxes, including tariffs, rests solely with Congress—not the President.
Despite the setback, Trump pointed to a dissenting opinion from Justice Brett Kavanaugh to argue that his executive powers over trade remain broad.
The court decision has already triggered legal and financial uncertainty, as businesses prepare lawsuits seeking refunds from an estimated $160 billion in tariffs previously collected.
Economists say the new global tariff could worsen inflation pressures. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently warned that trade costs have kept inflation “stubbornly high.”
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the move sets the stage for a major political and constitutional clash, as Congress must now decide whether to approve Trump’s temporary global tariff—or allow it to expire within months.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments in this unfolding trade and legal battle.
