Trump Will Not Return Tariff Funds Without Legal Battle
President Donald Trump loves the spotlight, every time, every day, he has something to say that jitters the whole world. The US president clearly enjoys it when the world revolves around him. A little inconvenience? Boom, he imposes a tariff. His urge to rule is so strong that he’s adamant about ignoring court rulings in his own nation.
Now guess what: his imposition of tariffs has started to lose its impact. Trump is very well aware of how his powers can manipulate markets around the world and turn them into his profit. The world is accusing him of using his powers as a weapon to create a trade war. So, what do you think, genius strategist or troublemaker-in-chief? Either way, when Trump speaks, global markets can’t help but listen.
And now President Donald Trump has made it clear: he’s not giving back the funds collected from tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court without a fight. The matter, he says, could be “litigated for the next two years” or longer. The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on February 20, 2026, invalidated his use of emergency powers under the IEEPA to impose sweeping global duties. But Trump didn’t waste a moment, he immediately signed a new executive order to reinstate a 10% global tariff under a different legal authority. The takeaway? That $133 billion to $175 billion in collected revenue may stay put for now.
Trump didn’t hold back on his reaction either. He called the Supreme Court’s decision a “disgrace” and “deeply disappointing,” accusing the court of being “swayed by foreign interests.” On the flip side, he praised the dissenting justices, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, for their “strength and wisdom.”
So, will this legal standoff drag on, or will it spark another trade shock? Only time will tell.
Trump’s Tariff Moves: Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Global Market Shake-Up
Immediate Shock: 10% Global Tariff
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The Supreme Court decision brought sudden shock when Trump signed his new 10 % global import proclamation. The new rule, which started to impact operations within two days of its announcement, caused worldwide market disruptions, which businesses had to manage during the unexpected tariff increase.
Refund Dilemma: Collected Revenue
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The collected revenue between $133 billion and $175 billion will present a refund dilemma. Trump doubts it. The Supreme Court didn’t provide a mechanism for refunds, and he predicts this legal battle could drag on for five years. Investors and global partners are left waiting to find out whether they will receive their money back or witness further courtroom performances.
Tariffs That Stand Tall
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Sector-specific duties on steel, aluminum, and automobiles under Section 232 remain untouched. The IEEPA-based challenge did not include these tariffs, which result in ongoing impacts on import expenses. The constant international focus on new tariffs presents businesses with a predictable requirement to follow existing duties, which serve as unchanging regulations.
Legal Playbook: Section 122 and Section 301
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Trump employed Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to create new tariffs, which replaced the invalidated IEEPA tariffs. He also used Section 301 investigations to identify unfair trading practices while planning to maintain market uncertainty.
Trade Deals Still Alive
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The Supreme Court ruling preserves existing pre-negotiated trade agreements, including the India deal. Partner countries now face a 10 % global tariff implementation. The new trade framework enables trade to proceed between nations while creating fresh expenses, which will change future negotiations for exporters.
Read More: India-US Trade Deal ‘No Change’ After Supreme Court Verdict, Says Trump …
Stock Markets On Edge as Trump’s Tariffs Shake Global Trade
The stock markets worldwide experience unpredictable swings because of Trump’s tariff policies, which create both exciting and frightening trading conditions. Investors are facing difficult market conditions because the new 10 % global tariff and the potential refunds between $133 billion and $175 billion create uncertainty. Section 232 duties provide traders minimal breathing space, helping the steel, aluminum, and automobile industries maintain their current market positions. Will the courts extend this process, or will the next Trump news story lead to another market surge? Some traders see golden opportunities, while others hedge nervously. When Trump delivers a speech, global markets experience automatic movements that occur without exception.
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
Always bold with her opinions, she also never misses the chance to weave in expert voices, keeping things balanced and insightful. In short, Aishwarya brings a fresh, sharp, and fact-driven voice to every story she touches.
