Global News Podcast – US Supreme Court Rules Against Trump’s Global Tariffs

BBC World Service | Host: Oliver Conway | Date: February 20, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode covers a major ruling by the US Supreme Court overturning President Trump’s global tariff policy—a critical decision for US economic and foreign policy. The show explores implications for Trump’s agenda, potential economic fallout, reactions from key figures, and other top international stories, including rising military tensions in Iran, the humanitarian cost of the Ukraine war, AI regulation, royal scandal in the UK, landmark wildlife crime prosecution, the plight of Italy’s Ladin community during the Winter Olympics, and progress on Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica.

Key Stories and Insights

US Supreme Court Defeats Trump’s Tariff Policy

[00:36–05:50]

• Main Decision:
  The US Supreme Court struck down a core part of President Trump’s tariff agenda by a 6–3 vote, ruling he lacked the authority to unilaterally impose global tariffs—shifting power back to Congress.
• Context:
  Tariffs have been central to Trump’s economic and foreign policy, seen as both leverage and a favorite personal tool.
• Expert Economic Reaction:
  Justin Wolfers (University of Michigan) described the day as “extraordinary for the global economy,” criticizing Trump’s rationale and flagging the possibility for lawsuits seeking tariff refunds:
  • Quote: “First of all, countries don’t pay tariffs. I want to be really clear on that. Who has paid tariffs is the American companies who brought it in… What if we had a trade war… and all along the whole darn thing turned out to be unconstitutional and illegal. Wow, what a day.” (Justin Wolfers, [02:44])
• Political and Economic Impact:
  • Gary O’Donoghue (BBC Washington) calls it "most certainly the biggest economic case" of Trump's presidency, noting Trump might use other legislative loopholes but will face a significant budget hole (~$280bn from 2025 tariffs).
  • Quote: “Tariffs are a pillar, a central pillar of not just his economic policy, but his foreign policy... That is a big hole that they will feel." (Gary O’Donoghue, [03:20])
• Legal Aftermath:
  Further litigation is likely as businesses and possibly foreign companies pursue tariff refunds.
  • Quote: This “could spawn a whole load more court cases in the coming months.” (Gary O’Donoghue, [04:54])
• Political Fallout:
  • Despite the conservative Supreme Court majority ruling against Trump, O'Donoghue expects the administration to seek alternative means, like reframing tariffs as national security measures.
  • Quote: “What they say about the Supreme Court is not final because it’s infallible. It’s infallible because it’s final.” ([05:06])

Escalating US–Iran Tensions

[05:50–07:25]

• New Developments:
  Norway withdraws troops as President Trump contemplates military strikes against Iran; Iran threatens US bases.
• Military Build-up:
  Mark Urban (defense analyst) details a significant US deployment—hundreds of warplanes and missile batteries across Middle Eastern allies:
  • Quote: “There are now hundreds of American warplanes within striking range of Iran… They are thinking about a sustained campaign." (Mark Urban, [06:23]))
• Long-term Risks:
  The conflict’s escalation path remains unpredictable, with regime change objectives seen as particularly challenging.

US Blocks International AI Regulation

[07:25–09:54]

• AI Summit Update:
  At a Delhi summit, the US reiterates total opposition to a global AI regulatory regime, delaying joint statements.
  • Quote: "The White House technology adviser has said the Trump administration totally rejects efforts to agree international rules for AI." (Oliver Conway, [07:45])
• Diverging Views:
  • Zoe Kleinman (BBC technology editor) notes “a real air of excitement and optimism,” but significant global division on regulation.
• Educational Impact:
  Sir Demis Hassabis (DeepMind co-founder) advocates STEM education but believes AI will democratize creativity and technical skills.
  • Quote: "Even though these systems will start being able to code, you still need to orchestrate them and... understand what it is they're doing...” (Demis Hassabis, [09:17])

Investigating Prince Andrew over ‘Epstein Files’ Email

[09:54–13:53]

• Arrest and Ongoing Investigation:
  British police search Royal Lodge after arresting Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (former Prince Andrew) for alleged misconduct related to government documents shared with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Case Details:
  Daniel Sanford (BBC correspondent) explains the probe centers on an email where Andrew, acting as trade envoy, forwarded UK government reports to Epstein just after a trip—distinct from previous sexual misconduct allegations.
  • Quote: “What you see in the email chain is apparently Andrew receiving those reports and then five minutes later forwarding them to Jeffrey Epstein..." (Daniel Sanford, [12:29])
• Next Steps:
  Police must build broader context before Crown Prosecution assesses formal charges. Andrew remains free under investigation.
  • Clarification: “He’s been released under investigation... free to go about your daily business, but we are still investigating you.” (Daniel Sanford, [13:27])

Human Cost of Russia’s War in Ukraine

[15:17–17:51]

• Casualty Analysis:
  BBC names over 180,000 dead Russian soldiers; true toll likely higher.
• Geographic Impact:
  Olga Evshina (BBC Russian Service) reveals rural regions bear disproportionate losses while big-city dwellers are shielded from the war’s scale, helping preserve domestic political stability.
  • Quote: “The way the losses are distributed is made so that people from the major cities may not notice the true scale of losses.” (Olga Evshina, [16:42])
• Suppression of Dissent:
  Draconian censorship inside Russia keeps public unrest in check.

Landmark Lion Poaching Conviction Using DNA Evidence

[17:51–20:12]

• Breakthrough Case:
  For the first time, prosecutors in Zimbabwe use DNA from a radio-collared dead lion to convict poachers, linking body parts found in a village directly to the specific animal:
  • Quote: "...we were able to demonstrate that those body parts were linked to a specific lion that had been killed illegally. That is the first time… that has ever been done." (Markus Bergener, [19:13])
• Global Impact:
  The case sets a powerful precedent for future wildlife crime prosecutions.

Italy’s Ladin Minority Overshadowed by Winter Olympics

[20:12–23:59]

• Identity and Recognition:
  Cortina’s Winter Olympics revive frustration among the Ladins, a linguistic minority not formally recognized in their region (Veneto), unlike in South Tyrol.
  • Quote: “It's not the general Italian... but also tiny realities outside mainstream have a right to exist.” (Roland Vera, [21:30])
• Cultural Tensions:
  Ladin locals fly their flag as protest, worry about gentrification and the threat to preserving their culture as house prices soar.
  • Quote: "Our children cannot buy a home here, so they will have to leave; once we are scattered, our culture becomes much harder to live and pass on." (Elsa Zardini, [23:12])

Sagrada Familia’s Tallest Tower Completed

[23:59–26:29]

• Historic Construction Milestone:
  The renowned basilica in Barcelona reaches its full height after 140 years as workers install the 172.5-meter-tall Tower of Jesus, capped by a 17m-high, 12-ton cross made of 15,000 ceramic pieces.
  • Summary Quote: “It now stands at 172.5 meters tall... the newest addition to Barcelona’s skyline.” (Tom Bailey, [25:37])
• Project Outlook:
  Full completion expected around 2034.

Memorable Quotes

• "First of all, countries don’t pay tariffs... What if we had a trade war... and all along the whole darn thing turned out to be unconstitutional and illegal. Wow, what a day." — Justin Wolfers, [02:44]
• “It’s infallible because it’s final. There’s nowhere to go from, from here in terms of challenging this.” — Gary O’Donoghue, [05:06]
• “Families from small towns and rural areas are dying disproportionately... so that people from the major cities may not notice.” — Olga Evshina, [16:42]
• “Our children cannot buy a home here... our culture becomes much harder to live and pass on.” — Elsa Zardini, [23:12]
• “... able to demonstrate that those body parts were linked to a specific lion... the first time... that has ever been done.” — Markus Bergener, [19:13]

Timestamps for Major Sections

• US Tariffs Supreme Court Ruling: [00:36–05:50]
• US–Iran Tensions: [05:50–07:25]
• AI Regulation Summit: [07:25–09:54]
• Prince Andrew Investigation: [09:54–13:53]
• Russian War Casualties: [15:17–17:51]
• Lion DNA Poaching Case: [17:51–20:12]
• Ladin Community & Winter Olympics: [20:12–23:59]
• Sagrada Familia: [23:59–26:29]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the BBC’s measured, analytical tone, emphasizing expert insight, fact-based reporting, and a global perspective. Frequent attributions and on-location correspondents add authority and immediacy to key stories.

For listeners wanting a clear sense of global affairs, this episode delivers sharp reporting on a pivotal US legal decision, shifting geopolitics, and the lived realities behind the headlines.