WASHINGTON – Following a Supreme Court decision that invalidated his earlier tariff program, President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will boost temporary import duties on nearly all foreign goods entering the United States from 10% to 15%, reaching the highest rate permitted by law.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday determined that Trump had overstepped his presidential powers when he implemented various higher tariff rates using an economic emergency statute. Trump quickly responded by establishing the 10% universal tariff rate immediately after the court’s decision.
The updated import duties operate under different legislation called Section 122, which permits tariffs as high as 15% but mandates that Congress must approve any extension beyond a 150-day period.
Trump announced via social media Saturday that he plans to utilize this timeframe to develop additional tariff measures that are “legally permissible.” His administration plans to invoke two additional laws that authorize import taxes on particular products or nations following investigations into national security concerns or unfair trading practices.
“I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been ‘ripping’ the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” Trump declared in his Truth Social statement.
Since the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling, Trump has demonstrated no indication of retreating from his international trade confrontation, criticizing specific justices personally while maintaining his authority to implement tariffs according to his judgment.
