What happened
On February 20 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled most of the tariffs imposed by the administration unlawful. In response, President Donald Trump called the decision "deeply disappointing" and signed an order imposing a 10% global tariff under trade law — the so‑called Section 122. He said the measure takes effect immediately and does not require congressional approval.
Trump also accused the court of allegedly "acting under the influence of foreign interests" and said he intends to use other legal mechanisms to protect "national interests."
"In other words, I can destroy trade, I can destroy the country. But I can't give them a little fee."
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
Why it matters for Ukraine
This is not just an internal political dispute in Washington. Any large-scale U.S. tariffs change prices and logistics in global markets, affecting the supply of critical components, energy resources, and defense products. For Ukraine this means: possible higher costs for imported components for reconstruction and defense, disruption of supply chains, and additional risks for international coordination of sanctions and arms deliveries.
Moreover, declaratory steps taken without consensus with allies create a vacuum that opponents can exploit — both in the trade sphere and in the information domain.
Legal and political context
The Supreme Court challenged the administration's approach to trade policy tools; Section 122 is one of the bases for emergency actions, but its use leaves room for judicial and political disputes. Announcing an order without the intent to "ask Congress" signals an attempt to bypass legislative mechanisms and turns a trade issue into an element of domestic political mobilization.
Consequences and scenarios
Economic effect: A 10% tariff will be enough to raise the cost of imports for American businesses and consumers, creating a domino effect across global supply chains.
Political reaction: There is a risk of trade retaliation from partners and additional strain within alliances. Trade law analysts stress that the decision will trigger a new round of legal and diplomatic disputes.
Military-technical aspect: For countries that depend on supplies from the U.S., any delays or price increases in components could affect the pace of restoring defense capabilities.
Conclusion
Trump's statement is at once a legal and a political gesture: a tool of domestic politics and an attempt to retain levers of influence despite the court's ruling. For Ukraine and its partners this is a signal: it is necessary to monitor not only the rhetoric but also the practical consequences for supply chains and coordination of defense assistance. Whether allies can quickly agree on a response to neutralize economic risks and preserve supply stability is the key question in the coming weeks.
