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KQED's Forum

California Businesses Thrown Into Uncertainty Again After Supreme Court Blocks Trump Tariffs

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 25 February 2026

⏱️ 54 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump does not have the authority to impose his sweeping tariffs — a major setback for his trade agenda. Studies have found that American businesses and consumers have borne most of the cost, and in California, ports, farms, businesses and workers have felt widespread effects. So what does this court ruling mean for the world’s 4th largest economy? We look at how the tariffs have affected California businesses, and what’s ahead as the President seeks to enact new tariffs in response. Guests: Ari Hawkins, reporter and author of the “Morning Trade” newsletter, POLITICO Nick Vyas, professor of economics; founding director of the Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, University of Southern California Idrees Kahloon, staff writer, The Atlantic Bianca Blomquist, California director, Small Business Majority Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:33.9

From KQED.

0:36.7

Welcome to Forum. I'm Mina Kim. When the Supreme Court's decision came down Friday,

0:41.7

declaring a large chunk of President Trump's tariffs illegal, many California businesses and consumers

0:47.0

hope that would mean stability and relief from the import taxes, maybe even refunds.

0:52.6

But instead, they've been thrown into uncertainty once again,

0:55.5

as President Trump promises to use other means he has at his disposal to impose tariffs,

1:00.4

and the high court ruling makes no mention of how refunds should be handled. We look at what

1:05.3

lies ahead this hour, and we want to hear from you. How have you been affected by tariffs this

1:10.2

past year? And how are you feeling now have you been affected by tariffs this past year?

1:16.2

And how are you feeling now that you know many of the import taxes you paid were illegal?

1:21.9

Joining me first is Bianca Blomquist, California Directory of Small Business Majority.

1:23.8

Bianca, thanks so much for joining us.

1:26.0

Thank you so much for having me.

1:28.3

So how have your members been reacting to the Supreme Court decision? I imagine it's felt like a bit of a roller coaster. A roller coaster is

1:34.3

absolutely right. So first I'll share a little bit about who our folks are that we're hearing

1:42.0

from. Small business majority is a national nonprofit advocacy

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