U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that there have been no modifications to the parameters of the U.S.-India commerce deal introduced on February 2, following the U.S. Supreme Court docket’s ruling on Friday (February 20, 2026) that the President’ s ‘reciprocal tariffs’ had been illegal.
U.S. Supreme Court docket rejects Trump tariffs LIVE
At a press convention through which he railed in opposition to the Justices who dominated in opposition to the tariffs, Mr. Trump mentioned that he would use options to impose tariffs. The Court docket dominated he had exceeded his authority beneath the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act (IEEPA), the authorized instrument that enabled his ‘reciprocal tariffs’ introduced on April 2, 2025.
“Nothing modifications. They’ll be paying tariffs, and we is not going to be paying tariffs,” Mr. Trump mentioned throughout a press convention shortly after the Court docket choice was out when requested concerning the standing of the take care of India.
“It is a reversal for what it was, as ,” he mentioned, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “nice gentleman”, however added,
“He was ripping us off.”
“So we made a take care of India, and it’s a good deal now, and we aren’t paying tariffs to them, and they’re paying tariffs. We didn’t flip,” Mr. Trump mentioned.
The agreed phrases of the deal scale back the final tariff price for Indian items getting into the U.S. from 50% (together with a 25% ‘penalty’ price for India’ s vitality commerce with Russia) to 18%.
In the course of the press convention, Mr. Trump mentioned that he would signal into regulation on Friday (February 20, 2026), a broad 10% “international tariff” throughout the board utilizing Part 122 of the U.S.’s Commerce Act (1974) which is predicted to enter impact in three days.
These tariffs are legitimate for a most of 150 days. He additionally emphasised that Part 232 tariffs, that are imposed on nationwide safety grounds (for instance, on metal and aluminium) and Part 301 tariffs (associated to ‘unfair‘ commerce practices) would stay in place. The President mentioned he was initiating 301 probes. It’s, nevertheless, as but unclear what the authorized foundation can be for all the 18% tariff price on India.
Additionally Learn | U.S. commerce companions cautiously welcome tariff ruling
Requested by a reporter to characterise his relationship with India, Mr. Trump mentioned it was “incredible” and that his relationship with Mr. Modi is “nice”. He shortly moved on to say that India had stopped shopping for Russian oil on the U.S.’s request. Mr. Trump claimed, as he has finished earlier than on a number of events, that he stopped the “warfare” (in Could 2025) between India and Pakistan “largely” by threatening every nation with 200% tariffs.
‘India pulled means again from Russia at my request’: Trump
Mr. Trump’s taking credit score for the ceasefire and for India buying much less Russian oil (and earlier claims that it was altogether stopping these purchases) have been politically delicate in India. On Friday, Mr. Trump dwelt on every of those matters in fast succession.
“India pulled out of Russia. You recognize, India was getting its oil from Russia, proper? They usually pull means again at my request, as a result of we wish to settle that horrible warfare the place 25,000 individuals are dying each month,” Mr. Trump mentioned.
”I additionally stopped the warfare between India and Pakistan,” he added, claiming that 10 planes had been shot down throughout the battle. Mr. Trump additionally claimed that the battle was probably going to show right into a nuclear confrontation
“I mentioned, look, you’re [ i.e., India and Pakistan] going to combat, that’s fantastic, however you’re not going to do enterprise with the USA, and also you’re going to pay a 200% tariff. Every nation,” he mentioned, including this prompted the international locations to declare that they wished to make peace.
Mr. Trump didn’t reply a query on whether or not he had plans to journey to India for the Quad Summit this yr. The Summit of the group of 4 international locations (India, the U.S., Japan and Australia) was meant to happen final yr however was placed on maintain.
In the course of the press convention Mr. Trump railed in opposition to a number of the Justices, utilizing phrases akin to “fools”, “lapdogs”, ”unpatriotic” to explain them and saying they had been “disloyal to the Structure”. He praised the minority that dissented, as an illustration, calling Justice Brett Kavanaugh a “genius” and saying he was “so pleased with him”.
Printed – February 21, 2026 04:03 am IST
