LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — Reactions are pouring in after the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, including from Southern California’s ports.
The Port of Long Beach is hoping that the ruling “brings greater certainty to the supply chain,” CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba said in a statement.
Containers are stacked at the Port of Long Beach Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Long Beach, Calif.
AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
Port officials said clear trade policy is needed to keep goods flowing to businesses and consumers.
“As one of the nation’s largest gateways, the Port of Long Beach will continue working closely with our partners to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and velocity of cargo movement. Doing so supports the broader supply chain, strengthens U.S. competitiveness, and sustains the 2.7 million jobs tied to the Port of Long Beach,” the statement read, in part.
Gene Seroka, executive director for the Port of Los Angeles, issued the following statement:
“The decision impacts about two thirds of the tariffs that have been collected to date and opens new avenues of uncertainty. First, there is not yet clarity on whether there will be refunds from the U.S. Treasury Department on tariffs already paid.Second, the administration has already announced a new 10% global tariff in the wake of the ruling with no indication as to when that will take effect.”
Seroka pointed out that this is all developing during the Lunar New Year, and that most factors in China and across are closed and not expected to reopen until at least next week.
The Supreme Court ruling on Friday handed the president a stinging loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda.
Furious about the defeat, Trump said he will impose a global 10% tariff as an alternative while pressing his trade policies by other means. The new tariffs would come under a law that restricts them to 150 days.
He made that announcement after lashing out at the Supreme Court for striking down much of his sweeping tariff infrastructure as an illegal use of emergency power. Trump said he was “absolutely ashamed” of justices who voted to strike down his tariffs and called the ruling “deeply disappointing.”
“Their decision is incorrect,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter because we have very powerful alternatives.”
The court’s 6-3 decision centers on tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs he levied on nearly every other country.
His loss before the conservative-majority high court came despite a series of short-term Trump wins that have allowed him to move ahead with key aspects of his broad agency.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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