The Monocle Daily The US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s sweeping tariffs
14 snips
Feb 20, 2026 
Andrew Muller, Monocle contributing editor and Milan wrap-up commentator. Dr. Marion Mesmer, Chatham House security expert on European defence industrial cooperation. Evelyn Farkas, former US deputy assistant secretary of defense on transatlantic trust and strategy. H.J. Mai, Washington reporter on the Supreme Court ruling and political fallout. They discuss the court’s tariff decision, business and trade implications, NATO trust and the E5 defence pact.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Court Limits Presidential Tariff Power
- The Supreme Court struck down the statutory authority Trump used for broad global tariffs, creating immediate legal limits.
- H.J. Mai says this injects uncertainty and may pause many tariffs while the administration seeks alternatives.
Plan For A Temporary Tariff Gap
- Expect the White House to use other statutory tools or seek Congressional backing to restore tariffs.
- Prepare for a gap of months without tariffs as alternative processes are implemented, per Wilbur Ross.
Judiciary Reasserts Checks And Balances
- The ruling shows the judiciary can act as a check even when Congress largely defers to the White House.
- H.J. Mai sees the decision as a significant constraint on executive overreach despite presidential resolve.