On February 20, the US Supreme Court declared that President Donald Trump unlawfully imposed retaliatory tariffs on Europe and nearly the entire world, which he had initiated in April of the previous year. The ruling emphasized that according to the US Constitution, the authority to impose tariffs lies solely with Congress and not the President. Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted that the Founding Fathers did not delegate any part of the taxing authority, which includes tariffs, to the executive branch.

The decision came as a significant legal blow to Trump, who had defended the tariffs as necessary for protecting American industries from foreign competition. The ruling by six of the nine justices of the Supreme Court reinforces the checks and balances intended by the Constitution, ensuring that such powers are not overstepped by the executive branch. This case draws attention to the limits of presidential power and the importance of legislative approval for significant economic measures such as tariffs.

The implications of this ruling could steer future discussions on trade policy, as it establishes a legal precedent that presidential authority is restricted in imposing tariffs without Congressional consent. As the legal ramifications unfold, it may affect Trump's trade negotiations and the broader context of US economic relations with allies and trading partners, especially in Europe, raising questions about how such policies will evolve moving forward.