The US Supreme Court dealt Donald Trump a historic blow on Friday, February 20, 2026, by striking down his so-called "reciprocal" tariffs imposed without congressional approval. The US president immediately denounced the decision as "deeply disappointing" and "ridiculous," posting on social media:

"I can destroy a country, but I can't tax it!"

A decision that impacts its trade policy

The Court ruled that Trump had exceeded his powers by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 , an emergency economic law, to impose sweeping tariffs. The judges reiterated that only Congress can legally levy taxes , thus limiting presidential authority.

This 6-3 decision marks a resounding defeat for the former president and highlights the constitutional limit of the American executive vis-à-vis Congress .

Trump retaliates and goes on the offensive

Rather than accepting the ruling, Trump announced new global tariffs , using other legislation to circumvent the court's decision. He argued that these measures were crucial to protecting the American economy from countries "that have been exploiting the United States for decades."

International Reactions and Consequences

The decision immediately created uncertainty in global markets , with a notable fall in US stock indices and fears of a tightening of international trade.

Abroad, the European Union and Asia are closely monitoring the situation, with some administrations already announcing consultations to limit the impact of the new taxes.

An unprecedented institutional tension



Trump's anger illustrates a rare but worrying conflict between the executive and judicial branches . Experts warn of the risk of an institutional crisis if the president continues to publicly challenge the Court's authority.