Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is boosting worldwide import duties to 15%, just one day after the Supreme Court struck down his initial tariff strategy for exceeding presidential authority.
Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump declared he was “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.” The president continued: “During the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs.”
This action comes after Friday’s 6-3 Supreme Court ruling that determined Trump had overreached his executive powers by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, legislation from 1977 designed for national crises, to establish tariffs across multiple nations. The legal challenge originated from affected businesses and twelve states, primarily led by Democratic leadership.
Following the Court’s decision, Trump quickly signed an executive order Friday establishing a temporary 10% import fee using Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which permits presidential import limitations for a maximum of 150 days. White House officials characterized this as an interim solution while exploring other legal options.
Yale’s Budget Lab reports that the Supreme Court’s decision puts $142 billion in tariff collections at risk, with American businesses now pursuing refunds for previously paid duties. Administration representatives are now working to implement additional trade measures to sustain tariff levels.
Trump has directed new investigations into suspected unfair trading practices using Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. He also indicated plans to implement additional tariffs through Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which permits import restrictions when national security concerns exist.
The president delivered harsh criticism of the Supreme Court after their ruling, describing the decision as “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American” on social media. Friday’s statement included his assertion that the justices should feel “ashamed” and specifically targeted Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, conservative justices he nominated who ruled against his position, labeling them “an embarrassment to their families.”
The Court’s decision represents a major obstacle to Trump’s economic policy objectives as his administration works to reinstate tariffs using different legal approaches.
