Presser: President Trump Reacts to Supreme Court Tariff Decision

On Friday, President Trump spoke to the White House press corps about the Supreme Court's tariff decision, the dissents, and what tools are still available for the Executive Branch to impose tariffs and other trade restrictions on foreign countries.

Here are a few high points:

"The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country.
"I'd like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for their strength and wisdom and love of our country, which is, right now, very proud of those justices... Very proud of that appointment in actuality. I would like to thank Justice Kavanaugh for his, frankly, his genius and his great ability."

Here's the interesting part, however: President Trump notes that the Court's decision leaves several other avenues for the imposition of tariffs, some of which are already in progress.

"In order to protect our country, a president can actually charge more tariffs than I was charging in the past period of a year under the various tariff authorities. Effective immediately, all national security tariffs remain fully in place and in full force and effect. I will sign an order later today to impose a 10% global tariff over and above our tariffs already being charged... We’re also initiating several sections, 301 and other investigations to protect our country from unfair trading practices of other countries and companies... Other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected. We have alternatives."

The president further claimed that, under this decision, he has wide-ranging powers to manage trade, including embargoes, but, as he puts it, he cannot charge them even a dollar in tariffs. The president mentions such things as Sections 122 and 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, embargos, and outright trade cutoffs. These, according to the president, are tools he can use to continue his tariff policies, while noting that they are more complicated than his previous efforts under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.

Six Republicans Join Democrats As House Votes to Undo Canada Tariffs

Another key point the president leaned in on is that now, with the Court's decision in place, there is certainty where there was not previously. That's putting an interesting shine on what has to be a pretty bitter apple for the administration.

Some key clips:

"The good news is that there are methods, practices, statutes and authorities as recognized by the entire court... that are even stronger than the IEEPA tariffs available to me as President of the United States." - President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/v2juxmYHiR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 20, 2026

"Effective immediately, all National Security TARIFFS, Section 232 and existing Section 301 TARIFFS, remain in place, and in full force and effect. Today I will sign an Order to impose a 10% GLOBAL TARIFF, under Section 122, over and above our normal TARIFFS already being… pic.twitter.com/B3bv5f5KW1
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 20, 2026

President Trump also took to his Truth Social platform to present a more detailed reply to the Court's decision and his planned actions moving forward.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/YSI0KZvhOe
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 20, 2026

In short, the Trump administration plans to continue wielding tariffs as a cudgel in trade deals; the overarching message of today's presser on the topic makes it pretty clear that the administration will adapt, improvise, and overcome.

You can view the entire presser here.

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

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