Congress Accuses Modi of Compromise After Supreme Court Strikes Trump Tariffs
Updated (2 articles)
Supreme Court Decision Overturns Trump Tariffs The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 ruling on February 20, 2026 that declared President Donald Trump’s global tariffs unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, emphasizing that only Congress may impose taxes [2]. The decision specifically struck down the emergency‑powers tariffs that had been applied to a wide range of imports [2]. The Court’s opinion was hailed by critics as a decisive check on executive economic authority [1].
Trade Deal Terms Remain Unchanged After Ruling President Trump asserted on February 20, 2026 that the interim U.S.–India trade agreement announced on February 2, 2026 stays intact despite the Court’s ruling [2]. The framework reduces the U.S. tariff on Indian goods from a previous 25% (or 50% including a Russia‑energy penalty) to 18%, while India continues to pay the tariffs and the United States does not [1][2]. Trump also announced a separate 10% global tariff to be signed within days, citing Section 122, and confirmed existing Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs will persist [2].
Congress Leaders Criticize Modi Over Deal Timing On February 21, 2026 Rahul Gandhi posted on X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi betrayed India by surrendering to U.S. pressure in the trade pact, labeling the agreement an “ordeal” [1]. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh argued that an additional 18‑day delay before sealing the deal could have spared Indian farmers and protected sovereignty, linking his criticism to the Supreme Court’s decision [1]. The party praised the Court’s 6‑3 verdict, suggesting a longer wait might have avoided a one‑sided arrangement [1].
Trump Defends Deal While Attacking Court During a White House press conference Trump praised Modi as a “great gentleman” but complained that India was “ripping us off,” insisting the revised tariff rates are “fair” [2]. He disparaged the majority justices as “fools,” “lapdogs,” and “unpatriotic,” while lauding dissenting Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a “genius” [2]. Trump also claimed credit for ending the May 2025 India‑Pakistan conflict and curbing Russian oil imports, attributing those outcomes to his tariff threats [2].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: Congress Accuses Modi of Compromise as US Court Dismantles Trump Tariffs: details Congress’s accusations against Modi, Jairam Ramesh’s 18‑day delay argument, and the Supreme Court’s 6‑3 ruling that struck down Trump’s tariffs, while summarizing the interim trade terms .
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2.
The Hindu: Trump says U.S.–India trade deal unchanged after Supreme Court strikes tariffs: reports Trump’s insistence the February 2 deal remains intact, outlines the tariff reductions to 18%, announces a new 10% global tariff, and records his harsh remarks toward the Court and praise for Modi and Justice Kavanaugh .
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Timeline
May 10, 2025 – Trump threatens dramatically higher tariffs on Indian exports, prompting India to halt “Operation Sindoor” and demonstrating his willingness to use tariff threats to shape foreign policy. [1]
May 2025 – Trump’s 200% tariff threat to both India and Pakistan forces the two nations to end their near‑nuclear conflict, illustrating his use of economic leverage to broker peace. [2]
Feb 2, 2026 – Trump announces the interim India‑U.S. trade agreement, describing it as a product of “friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi,” and notes that the deal cuts U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18% while India continues to pay tariffs on U.S. imports. [1]
Feb 20, 2026 – The U.S. Supreme Court issues a 6‑3 ruling that strikes down Trump’s global tariffs as exceeding authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, declaring that only Congress may levy taxes and delivering a decisive check on the president’s economic agenda. [1][2]
Feb 20, 2026 – Trump tells reporters the India‑U.S. trade pact remains unchanged despite the Court’s decision, reiterates that India will bear tariffs while the United States will not, and announces he will sign a sweeping 10% global tariff under Section 122 on Friday, to take effect three days later for up to 150 days, while preserving existing Section 232 and Section 301 measures. [2]
Feb 20, 2026 – In the same press conference, Trump calls Prime Minister Modi a “great gentleman” but accuses India of “ripping us off,” claims credit for ending the May 2025 India‑Pakistan war and curbing Russian oil imports, and denigrates the majority Supreme Court justices as “fools” and “lapdogs” while praising dissenting Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a “genius.” [2]
Feb 20, 2026 – Congress lauds the Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that an 18‑day delay in sealing the trade deal could have spared Indian farmers and protected sovereignty, and suggests the ruling helps avoid a one‑sided arrangement. [1]
Feb 21, 2026 – Rahul Gandhi posts on X that the interim trade agreement is an “ordeal” and accuses Prime Minister Modi of “betrayal” and surrendering to U.S. pressure, framing the deal as a compromise of Indian interests. [1]
Feb 21, 2026 – Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, claims that waiting an additional 18 days before finalizing the pact would have prevented farmer distress and preserved sovereignty, linking his argument to the Supreme Court’s recent tariff ruling. [1]
Feb 23, 2026 (expected) – The 10% global tariff announced on Feb 20 takes effect, imposing a uniform levy on a broad range of imports for up to 150 days, marking the first major tariff regime implemented after the Court’s rebuke of Trump’s earlier emergency powers. [2]