If everyone doesn’t dance to Donald Trump’s tune, it annoys the US president.Image: IMAGO images / Samuel Corum – Pool
The Supreme Court overturns central parts of its customs policy – Donald Trump reacts in rage mode. He insults the judges and announces new special tariffs: first ten, then 15 percent. All of this is not without consequences.
Feb 22, 2026, 7:32 p.mFeb 22, 2026, 7:32 p.m
Anna Von Stefanelli
He calls himself the “customs king”. But this week, Donald Trump looked less like a king and more like a US president on the defensive. First the US Supreme Court overturned it – then many Americans reacted with relief.
A majority of the population does not support the president, but rather the judges. And Trump decides to up the ante again: with another tariff announcement, but also with verbal gaffes.
US customs policy: Even Trump’s judge is putting a stop to him
But let’s start from the beginning: On Friday, the Supreme Court, the highest court in the USA, declared large parts of Trump’s global customs policy invalid in a 6:3 ruling. The judges ruled that the emergency law he used did not authorize the president to impose far-reaching punitive tariffs without the approval of Congress. Congress is responsible for tariffs.
Particularly explosive: Even the conservative judge Neil Gorsuch, whom Trump appointed during his first term in office, opposed the expansion of presidential power. And that despite the fact that he is usually on Trump’s side.
Judge Neil Gorsuch explained his decision. Image: AP / Damian Dovarganes
In his concurring opinion, the judge wrote: “Yes, legislation can be difficult and takes time. And yes, it can be tempting to bypass Congress when an urgent issue arises.” But it is precisely this advisory nature of the legislative process that is the purpose of the construction. “This will allow the nation to draw on the combined wisdom of its elected representatives – not just that of one faction or one man,” he wrote.
Among other things, the ruling overturned the 15 percent basic tariff on most imports from the EU as well as numerous other global taxes. However, sectoral tariffs, for example on cars, steel or aluminum, remain in place.
It is the clearest legal defeat for Trump in his second term so far. Although the verdict was to be expected, it is still remarkable. Six out of nine judges are conservative and supported Donald Trump on many issues.
“Ridiculous” and “anti-American”: Trump’s outburst of anger
Trump reacted to the verdict with sharp attacks against the judges. He called them out loud Daily Beast as “lapdogs,” as a “disgrace to our nation,” and as “disloyal to the Constitution.”
On Friday he announced a new global tariff rate of ten percent. According to the White House, this is based on a different legal basis than the previously overturned measures and will initially apply for a maximum of 150 days.
On Saturday, Trump increased this rate further: In his online service Truth Social, he stated that after a “thorough, detailed and complete” review of the ruling, he had decided to increase the new special tariffs from ten to 15 percent. The regulation will come into force “immediately”.
The increase was “fully permissible and legally examined,” said the president. He called the Supreme Court’s decision “ridiculous” and “extraordinarily anti-American.”
According to the White House, there will be exceptions for certain sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry. The government wants to impose further tariffs in the coming months.
Legally, the new 15 percent tariff is not part of the judgment that has now been overturned, as it is based on a different legal basis. However, observers assume that this measure could also be legally challenged.
The majority of Americans welcome the ruling
While Trump viewed the decision as an attack, many citizens reacted differently. According to a new one YouGov poll 60 percent of the almost 2,000 adults surveyed support the Supreme Court’s decision.
It becomes even clearer when it comes to prices: According to YouGov, 66 percent of those surveyed said that Trump’s tariff policy had made their lives more expensive. Only 5 percent said costs had fallen, while 16 percent saw no change.
A report from JPMorgan Chase also shows that medium-sized US companies have passed on the additional costs resulting from tariffs to consumers.
The question of affordability is considered a central issue before the upcoming midterm elections. Already in January there was one New York Times survey in collaboration with Siena Collegethat a majority of Americans feel that typical features of the middle class – home ownership, health care, education or retirement planning – are becoming increasingly unattainable.