The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a cornerstone of former President Donald Trump's second-term trade agenda on February 20, 2026, declaring his controversial tariff policy illegal. This decision comes as U.S. tariff rates remain at their highest level since the 1940s, despite the nation's goods trade deficit reaching a record $1.24 trillion in 2025.
Policy Goals vs. Reality A CGTN survey of 10,445 global respondents revealed 94.7% consider the "America First" tariffs a complete failure. The policy, designed to reduce foreign dependence and revive manufacturing, instead saw 80,000 U.S. factory jobs lost in 2025. December 2025 trade data showed a $70.3 billion goods and services deficit, marking two consecutive months of growth.
Global Economic Concerns The poll highlights widespread skepticism: 92.9% warn frequent tariff changes heighten global economic risks, while 97% condemn U.S. actions as undermining multilateral trade rules. Despite supply chain adjustments, 93.4% agree manufacturers haven't returned to U.S. soil at scale.
Immediate Fallout Hours after the Supreme Court ruling, Trump signed an executive order imposing new 10% emergency tariffs. The move drew criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom and cautious approval from Canada's trade minister, reflecting deepening international divisions over U.S. trade strategy.
The 24-hour survey, conducted across CGTN's multilingual platforms, underscores growing global apprehension about protectionism's economic consequences.
