Member Briefing February 23, 2026

Posted By: Harold King Daily Briefing,

Supreme Court Invalidates Global Tariffs, But Tariff Story Far From Over

After months of legal challenges and mounting uncertainty, the Supreme Court has struck down the Trump administration’s global tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), including reciprocal tariffs and targeted import taxes tied to fentanyl enforcement. For manufacturers, distributors, middle-market importers, and other business owners who may have been impacted, the ruling is significant. But it is not the end of tariffs; there is still much to be determined. Here’s what happens next:

While the Court invalidated the use of IEEPA for broad-based tariff authority, it did not establish how previously collected duties should be handled. That responsibility now shifts to lower courts, setting the stage for additional litigation over refund eligibility, procedural requirements, and timing. In practical terms, that means uncertainty remains. Companies may have a pathway to pursue refunds, but the process could be complex, slow-moving, and highly technical. Meanwhile, tariffs imposed under Section 232 (national security, such as steel and aluminum) and Section 301 (trade practices, including many China-origin goods) were not included in this decision.

Read more at UHY

More Headlines From the SCOTUS Decision

GDP = 1.4%: U.S. Economy Ends 2025 on a Slower Note

Real GDP growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025 as the historic government shutdown weighed on economic activity. While consumer spending continued to drive growth, federal government spending subtracted over a full percentage point from overall growth. According to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at an annual rate of 1.4% in the final quarter of 2025, a notable deceleration from a 4.4% increase in the third quarter.

The figures point to a more modest pace of growth in the coming quarters, as consumers take on more debt and cut back on saving to maintain their spending. Business investment, outside data centers and other equipment dedicated to artificial intelligence, grew at only a moderate pace. Still, a measure of underlying growth that focuses on consumer and business spending was mostly resilient, economists said. The sharp slowdown in government outlays because of the shutdown shaved a full percentage point from growth. Consumer spending rose 2.4%, a solid increase but notably below the third quarter’s healthy 3.5% gain. Federal government outlays plunged nearly 17% amid the shutdown. That decline should mostly reverse in the coming quarters, however, which may boost growth a bit.

Read more at Reuters

Core PCE = 3.0%: Fed’s Preferred Inflation Measure Heats Up In December

Underlying U.S. inflation increased more than expected in December, and signs are pointing to a further acceleration in January, which would strengthen expectations that the Federal Reserve would not cut interest rates before June. The personal consumption expenditures price index, excluding the volatile food and energy components, rose 0.4% after an unrevised 0.2% gain in November, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said on Friday. In the 12 months through December, core PCE inflation advanced 3.0% after increasing 2.8% in November.

The government also reported that consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity, rose 0.4% in December after increasing by the same margin in November. When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending gained 0.1%, setting it on a slow growth trajectory heading into the first quarter.

Read more at MarketWatch

America Imported a Record Amount Last Year Despite Seismic Trade Policy Changes

Imports to the U.S. grew to a record high in 2025, leaving the trade deficit little changed despite steep Trump administration tariffs aimed at closing trade gaps. Overall, imports last year were $4.334 trillion, up about 5% from the prior record of $4.136 trillion in 2024. Exports were $3.432 trillion, up about 6% year over year. The nation’s trade deficit—the gap between imports and exports in both goods and services—was $901.5 billion last year, slightly smaller than the $903.5 billion deficit recorded in 2024, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The small change shows America’s role as a heavy net importer remains intact, at least thus far, despite seismic policy shifts during the year.

There were big swings in trade patterns along the way, however, including an early-year surge in imports as companies tried to get ahead of new tariffs. That surge rapidly reversed after some of the tariffs were rolled back and businesses adjusted to the new trade regime. 2025 ended with another big swing. The monthly trade deficit surged to $70.3 billion, up 33% from $53 billion in November and continuing a climb from October, when the deficit briefly sank to its lowest level on the year. Meanwhile, U.S. imports in December rose by 3.6% to $357.6 billion, driven in part by more U.S. buying of digital equipment from overseas. Imports of computer accessories grew by $3.4 billion, and imports of telecommunications equipment increased by $1.3 billion, contributing to an overall $10.2 billion increase in goods imports.

Read more at the WSJ

Middle East

Ukraine

Other World Headlines

Hochul's 30-Day Amendments Increase State Spending By $2.7B As Talks Over Climate Law Continue

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 30-day amendments to her executive budget were largely the typical technical exercise of making adjustments to the original spending plan. Despite signals this month that she could seek changes to the state’s 2019 climate law or pursue other policy shifts, no such proposals were included. Still, her office says potential tweaks to the climate law are not off the table during budget negotiations, where Hochul wields the power of New York's executive driven budget process. Specifically, Hochul herself indicated she might seek to revise how emissions are calculated under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, known as the CLCPA, or pursue other changes to the law.

Instead, the most noteworthy of the amendments spread around an additional $2.7 billion, bringing the total budget to $262.7 billion. The increase is driven in part by $1.5 billion in additional revenue from the state’s managed care organization tax and $600 million in higher-than-expected investment returns. As announced last weekend, Hochul is directing $1.5 billion in additional state aid to New York City as Mayor Zohran Mamdani works to close a $7 billion budget gap. Mamdani has urged the governor to raise taxes on high earners, a proposal that has lost steam by the day as Hochul doubles and triples down on no tax hikes. The governor also proposed $150 million in aid for municipalities outside New York City to ease immediate fiscal stress.

Read more at NY State of Politics

Bridges From San Diego To Philadelphia Are At Risk From Ship Collisions — But Efforts To Protect Them Are Moving Slowly

Owners of endangered highway bridges around the country have taken few immediate steps to fortify them from catastrophic accidents, a POLITICO review has found nearly two years after the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The federal probe of the March 2024 disaster has brought new attention to a host of dangers facing many older highway bridges, including a higher risk of collapse or serious damage for many of them if they are struck by a cargo ship.

While some of these bridge owners are seeking solutions, a lack of money and logistical hurdles have kept Congress, state governments and the bridges’ owners from offering quick fixes for a dozen crucial bridges, including in cities such as Philadelphia and New Orleans. The hurdles are many. Many cash-strapped states simply don’t have the money to pour into reinforcing existing bridges for what many view as a once-in-a-blue-moon catastrophe. Bridge owners blame the growing size of cargo ships as the main culprit. Moreover, bolstering bridge safety hasn’t appeared high on Congress’ to-do list, and even the country’s top independent accident investigator isn’t pushing for changes there.

Read more at Politico

More Policy and Politics Headlines

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Want To Get Stronger? Your Brain May Matter More Than Muscles, New Research Shows

In a study published February 12 in Neuron, mice that trained on treadmills showed increased activity in cells in the brain’s ventromedial hypothalamus. When those cells were blocked after exercise, the mice failed improve endurance after their workouts. The research suggests that the body relies on signals from the brain to get fit. Exercise doesn’t just move muscles—it trains the body to adapt. Over time, strength builds, endurance improves, and systems that regulate energy become more efficient.

But the brain also changes with exercise, says J. Nicholas Betley, a neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Mice who run on wheels or treadmills grow new brain cells in areas like the hippocampus, and the brain cells they have form new connections. “You exercise, your muscles get stronger, your lungs get stronger, your heart gets stronger and your brain gets stronger, and it's a consequence of exercise,” Betley says.

Read more at National Geographic

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Manufacturing Advocacy Day - Tuesday February 24, 2026 -7:45 AM - 3:00 PM. The Fort Orange Club, State Capitol Building and Legislative Office Building, Albany.

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Lean Overview & Simulation This two half-day virtual Lean Foundations course, led by Vin Buonomo from RIT CQAS, provides a comprehensive introduction to Lean principles, tools, and methodologies. March 3 & 4 8:30 - 12:30 Via Zoom.

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Nvidia Re-Enters PC Market With AI-Powered Laptop Chips

Nvidia is preparing to return to the consumer PC market, with AI-focused laptop chips expected to debut this year in models from Dell Technologies, Lenovo and other manufacturers, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. While near-term profit contribution is likely modest, analysts view the move as strategically important. Nvidia aims to secure a role in next-generation AI-enabled PCs as the industry shifts toward integrating artificial intelligence directly into devices.

The company is developing system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors that combine CPUs with Nvidia’s GPUs, the core technology behind its AI leadership. The design mirrors smartphone architecture, promising thinner laptops, improved battery life and high-performance AI capabilities. The strategy positions Nvidia to help Windows-based manufacturers compete more directly with Apple’s (AAPL) MacBook lineup, particularly in power efficiency and performance. The global laptop market remains sizable at roughly 150 million units annually, offering Nvidia a meaningful opportunity beyond its core data center AI business. However, success will depend on pricing (analysts suggest systems must land in the $1,000 to $1,500 range) and compatibility, particularly for gamers accustomed to traditional Intel-based systems.

Read more at Seeking Alpha

Honda Took A $1.7B Write-Off On EVs, Now It’s Restructuring For Them

Honda Motor Co. took a 267 billion yen ($1.7 billion) operating loss from April to December 2025 as it navigated shifts in U.S. electric vehicle policy, according to a Feb. 10 earnings presentation. The nine-month loss includes impairment charges for EVs sold in the U.S. and “write-offs of development assets for EV models due to lineup changes.” The automaker said it is trying to “clear up as much of the losses possible” related to these models in the current fiscal year, while reviewing its EV lineup and capital expenses.

Honda has a plan to turn tides around: As of April 1, Honda R&D will lead automobile development as well as software-defined vehicle functions, a change that will enable the automaker to respond more “flexibly and swiftly” to rapid changes in the market with product improvements, per an investor notice. The abrupt repositioning of Honda’s EV plans as a result of U.S. policy shifts continues to tug at the company’s bottom line in the current quarter. But the automaker is setting it sights on embracing its technology goals in a leaner, more efficient way in upcoming years.

Read more at Ward’s Auto

Stellantis Takes $26B Write-Down Over EVs, Sells Stake In Battery JV For $100

Stellantis announced Feb. 6 the sale of its 49% equity stake in NextStar Energy to LG Energy Solution, its original partner in the CAD$5B ($4.1 billion in 2022) EV battery joint venture, for $100, allowing the South Korean battery maker to have full ownership and control. Stellantis reported a 43% year-over-year jump in shipments across its brands in Q4 2025. Affirming a new product repositioning emphasizing “freedom of choice,” it reported that combined sales of the Ram 1500 with Hemi V-8 and refreshed Jeep Cherokee hybrid accounted for more than 30% of its YoY growth.

The automaker also confirmed a 22.2 billion euro write-off ($26.2 billion), for a “strategic shift,” primarily over repositioned EV development. CEO Antonio Filosa stated that the charges “largely reflect the cost of over-estimating the pace of the energy transition that distanced us from many car buyers’ real-world needs, means and desires.” Stellantis is just one of several major automakers that have reported huge losses on EVs, as they retreat from battery ventures and write off billions of dollars in investments. But Stellantis’ EV losses have the largest price tag.

Read more at Ward’s Auto

Boeing Draws $30B in Orders from Vietnam

Boeing has drawn new orders totaling 90 commercial aircraft from three Vietnamese airlines, orders that are unofficially estimated at $30 billion. The orders from Vietnam Airlines, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, and Vietjet were made during a Washington visit by To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. With Southeast Asia poised for significant air travel growth over the next 20 years, Vietnam is expected to be the region's fastest-growing aviation market with annual passenger growth of nearly 8% by 2030.

Vietnam Airlines - which currently operates 17 787 Dreamliners on regional and international routes - is due to purchase 50 737 MAX-8 aircraft in a reported for $8-billion deal, to fill anticipated higher domestic passenger volumes. Sun PhuQuoc Airways is a new airline started to serve resort destinations on Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand. The carrier has ordered up to 40 787 Dreamliner jets, to connect international travelers to Phu Quoc International Airport. It’s estimated to have a potential value of $22.5 billion. The Washington meeting also included an announcement that low-cost airline Vietjet has secured $965 million in financing to purchase six Boeing 737-8s as part of a fleet expansion.

Read more at American Machinist

Hapag-Lloyd To Acquire Zim In $4.2B Deal

Hapag-Lloyd signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Zim’s shares in a deal worth $4.2 billion, cementing the carrier’s status as the world’s fifth largest container shipping line, according to a Monday press release. Zim is currently the 10th largest container line and has a global capacity of more than 704,000 TEUs, per Alphaliner data. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in late 2026.

Hapag-Lloyd’s new fleet will have more than 400 vessels, creating a capacity of over 3 million twenty-foot equivalent container units as well as an annual cargo volume of more than 18 million TEU in 2027, according to the release. As of September 2025, Hapag-Lloyd operates a fleet of 205 container ships with a total capacity of about 2.5 million TEUs. The ocean liner also owns or leases a container stock of about 3.8 million TEUs.

Read more at Supply Chain Dive

GlobalFoundries Strikes Multibillion-Dollar Chips Partnership To Meet Automotive Demand

New York-based GlobalFoundries has expanded its partnership with Japanese chipmaker Renesas Electronics Corp. as demand grows for smart vehicles and automated industrial systems. The multibillion-dollar collaboration broadens Renesas’ access to GlobalFoundries technologies, including its FDX FD-SOI, BCD and CMOS platforms with memory features, according to a news release. Tape-outs under the expanded partnership are expected to begin in mid-2026.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. semiconductor manufacturing while providing secure production options for Renesas. It comes as the auto industry looks to avoid another chip shortage. GlobalFoundries and Renesas are looking to address supply challenges through the expanded partnership, starting with manufacturing in the United States, then extending to facilities in Germany and Singapore. The companies are also exploring using GlobalFoundries’ process technologies in Renesas’ fabs in Japan.

Read more at Manufacturing Dive

Nasa Targets Early March To Send Humans Back Around The Moon

With a successful fueling test behind them, NASA managers on Friday said the agency has a good shot at launching the Artemis II mission on March 6, sending four astronauts on a long-awaited trip around the moon. Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen are expected to enter pre-flight medical quarantine Friday evening at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

They will be the first astronauts to be shot into space by a gargantuan SLS rocket, the most powerful operational launcher in the world. They will be the first to fly aboard an Orion deep space crew capsule and the first people to leave low-Earth orbit for a trip to the moon in more than half a century. They will follow a free-return trajectory, looping around the far side of the moon and then heading back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. They will not go into orbit or land on the moon, but they will travel farther from Earth than anyone in human history, beating a distance record set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1971.

Read more at CBS

Deere Gains IP to Expand its Portfolio

In an effort to expand its farm equipment portfolio, Deere & Company acquired the intellectual property and related assets for tree planting systems from Risutec Oy, an equipment manufacturer based in Finland. “The acquisition strengthens John Deere's silviculture strategy and its ongoing commitment to providing customers involved in reforestation with solutions for sustainable forestry,” according to a Deere statement.

Silviculture refers to the management of forests and woodlands, applying techniques like planting, thinning, and harvesting timber to maintain and restore ecosystems. Deere is widely known for its agricultural equipment but it has been striving to broaden its offerings to a wider range of activities. Recently Deere announced an expansion project for its Kernersville, N.C., excavator plant, part of a broader, 10-year, $20-billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing operations. Risutec is a specialist in mechanized systems for forest regeneration that reduce manual labor, improve planting speed, and ensure consistent seedling quality. It has various products for large-scale planting, fast planting, and integrated systems that perform site preparation, planting, and watering.

Read more American Machinist

US Private Sector Establishes New Nuclear Fusion Record

In an Everett, Washington lab, Helion Energy has pushed plasma to 150 million degrees Celsius, about ten times the temperature at the Sun’s core, setting a new mark for private fusion. The company’s seventh prototype, Polaris, switched to deuterium-tritium shots in January 2026 and produced a measurable energy signal, backed by a regulatory license to handle tritium. That pace puts Helion near the front of a crowded private race that includes Commonwealth Fusion Systems, TAE Technologies, General Fusion and Tokamak Energy. Next comes Orion, a commercial machine rising in Malaga, Washington, with plans to deliver power to Microsoft starting in 2028.

Helion also cleared a regulatory hurdle: securing a license to handle tritium, the tightly controlled isotope central to D–T tests. That victory unlocks its next chapter—building a commercial machine, Orion, in Malaga, Washington. Backed by a power purchase agreement with Microsoft, Helion targets first electricity by 2028, an aggressive date that will test engineering, supply chains, and grid integration.

Read more at 3DVF

Daily Market Update Feb 20, 2026

The Mar ’26 natural gas contract is trading up $0.01 at $3.00. The Mar ‘26 crude oil contract is down $0.22 at $66.21.

Read more at NRG

Learn more about the Council of Industry Energy Buying Group

Quote of the Day

“Recognizing the taxing power’s unique importance, and having just fought a revolution motivated in large part by ‘taxation without representation,’ the Framers gave Congress ‘alone . . . access to the pockets of the people.’”

John Roberts - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States writing in his decision striking down IEEPA Tariffs.

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