‘In full force and effect’: Trump confirms tariffs still in place, and new one being added
The opinion released by the Supreme Court that President Donald Trump cannot use the provisions of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on trade that other countries have with the United States appears to have had only a “ho-hum” impact on that agenda.
Trump has used the IEEPA to impose tariffs in pursuit of his goals of obtaining favorable trade agreements for America, cracking down on illegal drugs being dumped on the United States and protecting American industry and businesses.
He’s also used tariffs to halt foreign wars, bring those abusing America’s financial power to heel, and generate billions in revenue for America.
And promises of trillions of dollars in investment in America.
While that particular law may no longer be available, he said in response, there are other laws and he’s already announced plans to use them.
In a statement, Trump said, “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 charged, and we are also initiating several Section 301 and other investigations to protect our Country from unfair Trading practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
The Supreme Court made no ruling on the funds already collected under the tariff program, and that fight will have to develop in the lower courts, with the possibility it could return to the high court.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/5UudUfHe42 pic.twitter.com/un5zFbSEJl
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 20, 2026
Statement from President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/YSI0KZvhOe
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 20, 2026
Constitutional expert Jonathan Turley, whose advice has guided Congress on many issues, confirmed Trump essentially is correct, and there are other laws allowing tariffs that the president can use.
JONATHAN TURLEY: “There’s a lot of runway still for the administration…”
“The administration has other tools in its toolbox. It CAN actually impose tariffs under other statutes!” https://t.co/xGN3evQLch pic.twitter.com/Kya76PnD6y
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 20, 2026
Trump’s statement included criticism of the court’s decision:
“The Supreme Court’s Ruling on TARIFFS is deeply disappointing! I am ashamed of certain Members of the Court for not having the Courage to do what is right for our Country. I would like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for your Strength, Wisdom, and Love of our Country, which is right now very proud of you. When you read the dissenting opinions, there is no way that anyone can argue against them. Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for years are ecstatic, and dancing in the streets – But they won’t be dancing for long! The Democrats on the Court are thrilled, but they will automatically vote ‘NO’ against ANYTHING that makes American Strong and Health Again. They, also, are a Disgrace to our Nation. Others think they’re being ‘politically correct,’ which has happened before, far too often, with certain Members of this Court when, in fact, they’re just FOOLS and ‘LAPDOGS’ for the RINOS and Radical Left Democrats and, not that this should have anything to do with it, very unpatriotic, and disloyal to the Constitution. It is my opinion that the Court has been swayed by Foreign interests, and a Political Movement that is far smaller than people would think – But obnoxious, ignorant, and loud!”
He said the decision is “important, as a symbol.
“The Good News is that there are methods, practices, Statutes, and other Authorities, as recognized by the entire Court and Congress, that are even stronger than the IEEPA TARIFFS, available to me as President of the United States of America and, in actuality, I was very modest in my ‘ask’ of other Countries and Businesses because I wanted to do nothing that could sway the decision that has been rendered by the Court,” he said.
“I have very effectively utilized TARIFFS over the past to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Our Stock Market has just recently broken the 50,000 mark on the DOW and, simultaneously, 7,000 on the S&P, two numbers that everybody thought, upon our Landslide Election Victory, could not be attained until the very end of my Administration —Four years! TARIFFS have, likewise, been used to end five of the eight Wars that I settled, have given us Great National Security and, Together with our Strong Border, reduced Fentantyl coming into our Country by 30%, when I use them as a penalty against Countries illegally sending this poison to us. All of those TARIFFS remain, but other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the Court incorrectly rejected.”
The president cited the “ridiculous” conclusion of the court that he has permission to embargo countries, to license imports, but not to charge a license fee.
He quoted the dissent of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who said, “Although I firmly disagree with the Court’s holding today, the decision might not substantially constrain a President’s ability to order tariffs going forward. That is because numerous other federal statutes authorize the President to impose tariffs and might justify most (if not all) of the tariffs issued in this case … Those statutes include, for example, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Section 232), the Grade Act of 19745 (Sections 122, 201, and 301), AND THE Tariff Act of 1930 (Section 339).”
Trump said, “In actuality, while I am sure they did not mean to do so, the Supreme Court’s decision today made a President’s ability to both regulate Trade, and impose TARIFFS, more powerful and crystal clear, rather than less. There will no longer be any doubt, and the Income coming in, and the protection of our Companies and Country, will actually increase because of this decision. Based on longstanding Law and Hundreds of Victories to the contrary, the Supreme Court did not overrule TARIFFS, they merely overruled a particular use of IEEPA TARIFFS. The ability to block, embargo, restrict, license, or impose any other condition on a Foreign Country’s ability to conduct Trade with the United States under IEEPA, has been fully confirmed by this decision. In order to protect our Country, a President can actually charge more TARIFFS than I was charging in the past under the various other TARIFF authorities, which have also been confirmed, and fully allowed.”
Trump also pointed out other factors of the fight over tariffs:
JUST IN: President Trump FIRES BACK at Hakeem Jeffries for calling him a “wannabe king” following the tariff ruling
TRUMP: “And I call him a LOW IQ individual! He doesn’t even know what a tariff is!”
Hakeem Jeffries/Dollar Store Obama is a national embarrassment pic.twitter.com/qEHcn4nLey
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 20, 2026
REPORTER: Are the justices who ruled against the tariff policy still invited to the SOTU next week?
TRUMP: “They are invited, barely…Three are happily invited…They’re barely invited. Honestly, I couldn’t care less if they come.” pic.twitter.com/2ong0oNsLM
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) February 20, 2026
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President Trump says the Supreme Court is being swayed by foreign interests after their ruling on tariffs:
“They are just being fools and lapdogs to the RINOS and the radical left Democrats… They are very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution. It is my opinion that the… pic.twitter.com/bqSntW0kjL
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 20, 2026
BREAKING: President Trump says the Supreme Court AFFIRMED his ability to impose tariffs under other statutes
“We could’ve done this originally, as Kavanaugh said—we’re doing it now. And the numbers could be FAR greater!” pic.twitter.com/bJPRz6UXrU
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 20, 2026
REPORTER: “Hakeem Jeffries has called you a wannabe king.”
TRUMP: “He’s Low IQ. He doesn’t even know what a tariff is.”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 20, 2026