Yah Lah But #782: Will Trump’s 15% Tariff Hurt SG & Tan Chuan-Jin “Accidentally” Deletes Instagram
Feb 23, 2026
A lively breakdown of the US Supreme Court ruling and what a new 15% tariff could mean for Singapore and global trade. A viral social media snafu is dissected when a public figure claims an “accidental” Instagram deletion and faces sharp pushback. Short cultural asides include influencer behaviour, a debate over public contrition, and picks on movies and education.
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Supreme Court Targeted The Legal Tool Not Tariffs
- The Supreme Court ruling struck down Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping global tariffs.
- Haresh and Terence explain the decision means the legal mechanism was illegal but tariffs themselves remain possible under other statutes like Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Ruling Won't End Tariff Volatility
- Even after the ruling, Trump can still impose tariffs using other legal tools, so global trade uncertainty persists.
- Hosts cite Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as an alternate route and note political and legal wrangling will continue.
Small States Have Little Leverage On US Tariffs
- Small countries like Singapore are price takers and will likely face higher US levies with limited leverage.
- Haresh and Terence note Singapore's 10% currently could become 15% and local ministers appear constrained in negotiating privileged access.