Latest Business News
Supreme Court Invalidates Trump's Emergency Tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday that President Trump's sweeping tariffs imposed under emergency powers law exceeded his executive authority. The decision struck down tariffs that had been heavily burdening metals, vehicles, and electronics sectors
. Markets rebounded following the ruling, with the STOXX 600 reaching an all-time high
.
Trump Announces New 10% Global Tariff Despite Court Setback
President Trump responded to the Supreme Court ruling by announcing he would immediately impose a new 10% global tariff under Section 122, separate from existing duties. He also stated that national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing 301 tariffs remain fully in effect
. Trump indicated he would pursue additional investigations and tariff measures using alternative legal authorities
.
Mid-Sized US Businesses Triple Tariff Payments in Past Year
According to new research from the JPMorgan Chase Institute, tariffs paid by mid-sized American businesses tripled over the past year. These companies, with revenues between $10 million and $1 billion, collectively employ around 48 million people in the United States
. The research also showed payments to China by midsize firms dropped 20% since October 2024, though it remains unclear whether sourcing has genuinely diversified
.
US Economy Decelerates to 1.4% Growth in Q4 2025
The U.S. Commerce Department released advance figures showing the U.S. economy grew at a sharply decelerated 1.4% on a quarterly annualized basis in the fourth quarter of 2025. Economists attributed some of this weakness to the impact of tariffs on economic activity
. The slower-than-expected growth marked a significant pullback from previous quarters
.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran Tensions and Military Buildup
Oil prices surged to six-month highs as President Trump set a 15-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear deal, with markets pricing in potential U.S. military action. Crude prices remained elevated as markets expected U.S. military action against Iran would not occur until the following week
. U.S. crude settled at $66.39 per barrel while Brent reached $71.76 per barrel
.
Asia Markets Mixed as Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment
Asian equity markets fell on Friday, with the Asia Pacific index down 0.4% as geopolitical tensions over Iran impacted investor sentiment. Hong Kong returned to trading after the Lunar New Year holiday but showed a moderately cautious session
. The KOSPI continued to outperform other regional indices
.
Global Stock Markets Rally Following Tariff Court Decision
Global markets gained following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, with MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe rising 0.55% to 1,052.94. Canada's S&P/TSX composite index climbed 222.53 points to 33,817.51, lifted by technology stocks
. European stocks reached record levels with the STOXX 600 and FTSEurofirst 300 both gaining 0.84%
.
Tariff Removal Creates Uncertainty Over Refund Obligations
Following the Supreme Court decision, firms are aggressively seeking refunds on tariffs paid in 2025, which has large revenue effects and uncertain distributional consequences. Questions remain about what new tariffs Trump will impose and whether territories that entered deals with the U.S. will see those pacts reopened for review
. Analysts expect another period of activity-limiting confusion as Trump pursues alternative tariff authorities
.
Cryptocurrencies Gain on Market Optimism Following Tariff Ruling
Bitcoin gained 1.16% to $67,690.43 following the Supreme Court's tariff decision, while Ethereum rose 1.09% to $1,969.21. The cryptocurrency market benefited from broader investor optimism over the court's decision to limit Trump's tariff authority
.
Long-Run Tariff Policy Projects $1 Trillion in Revenue Despite Economic Slowdown
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, remaining tariffs in effect as of February 20, 2026 are projected to raise approximately $1.2 trillion over 2026-35, with net dynamic revenue reaching about $1 trillion after accounting for slower economic growth. Metal products, electronics, and vehicles face the largest price increases from current tariff policies
. If the Court had ruled differently, apparel and food products would have faced heavier burdens
.
AI Boom Continues Supporting Semiconductor Demand and Growth Expectations
Despite broader economic slowdowns, artificial intelligence remains a key driver of 2026 growth expectations, creating strong demand for high-end chips and data centers. The semiconductor-related story continues to support market sentiment even as geopolitical risks weigh on Asian markets
.