February 20, 2026
CBS News recently published an article featuring Jay Zagrosky, Clinical Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law, discussing how Massachusetts businesses are welcoming relief after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, ruling 6-3 that the administration lacked authority under the emergency powers law.
The decision is expected to lower prices on imported goods and ease administrative burdens for retailers. Celine Kimberly, owner of Nouvelle Maison, a French and European goods shop in Winchester, MA, said tariffs had forced her to raise prices, reduce inventory from France, and switch to local alternatives.
“The Trump administration said that they have collected $200 billion dollars, and that’s over about a 10-month period. Over an entire year, in per-person terms, they have collected around $650 per person. If many of those companies ask for a rebate, then those companies are going to get a windfall, and how is that actually going to get passed down to the consumer?” Zagorsky adds.
With lower tariffs and potential price relief on the horizon, local businesses are hopeful that the ruling will not only ease operational pressures but also bring tangible benefits to consumers across Massachusetts.
