Global Trade Confusion Returns as Trump Shifts Tariff Tools

US President Donald Trump, Howard Lutnick, US commerce secretary, right, and John Sauer, on Feb. 20.
Photographer: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg

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By Malcolm Scott

February 23, 2026 at 11:15 AM UTC

Updated on

February 23, 2026 at 3:33 PM UTC

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The Supreme Court’s nixing of US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs is throwing fresh confusion over the raft of trade deals negotiated by global partners as the inescapable reality of ongoing levies remains a threat.