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published on February 20, 2026 - 3:31 PM
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There has been local, statewide and nationwide reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

On Friday, the SCOTUS ruled in a 6-3 vote that the tariffs exceed the powers given to the president under International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives them the authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies created by foreign threats.

The ruling does remove many of Trump’s tariffs, but not all.

Trump called out the SCOTUS’s decision during a White House conference, describing the justices who voted to strike down the tariffs as a “disgrace to our” nation.

Trump said the SCOTUS’s decision will not allow him to charge “even $1” to any other foreign country under IEEPA.

“But I am allowed to cut off any and all trade or business with that same country,” Trump said. “I can do anything I want to do them but I can’t charge them $1.”

In response to the decision, Trump announced he would impose a 10% global tax.

With the tariffs being ruled illegal, importers are likely to be entitled to refunds.

In 2025, crop farmers lost $34.6 billion, according to the American Farm Bureau.

Local reaction

Representative Jim Costa (D-Fresno) said the court’s decision reaffirms the Constitution and the separation of powers and that it made it clear that the president exceeded his authority.

Costa said that trade authority resides with Congress, and this ruling is a reminder that no one — not even the president — is above the law.

Here in the Central Valley, where agriculture is the backbone of our economy, the real-world harm has been deep and widespread. California agriculture represents an estimated $24 billion industry, and on-again, off-again tariffs have thrown supply chains into disarray, raised costs for producers, and heightened uncertainty for family farmers who already operate on razor-thin margins.

Costa said the tariffs are a tax on American consumers and pushed up the prices on everyday goods and created ripple effects throughout the economy.

“This ruling provides a chance to restore balance and clarity, but it also highlights how little direction Congress has provided on trade. Instead of standing by while executive actions fill a vacuum, Congress needs to step up, take responsibility, and set clear, thoughtful trade policy for the benefit of American workers and families,” Costa said.

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) also welcomed the court’s decision, saying the ruling helps restore predictability to a uniquely complex, seasonally driven marketplace.

“While targeted tariffs can be a tool for addressing inequities between trading partners, the broad application of this blunt instrument can disrupt markets, raise consumer costs, and place unnecessary strain on growers and producers across the supply chain,” the IFPA said in a statement.

The IFPA said tariffs should not be used as a default response to every trade concern facing the U.S. and the ruling should not prompt a shift to other tariff authorities.


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