Trump Decides to Raise Global Tariffs to 15% Instead of 10%

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to raise the global tariffs announced yesterday from 10% to 15%, in response to the Supreme Court ruling that deemed the previous mechanism used to implement tariffs illegal.

Trump stated in a social media post on Saturday: "As President of the United States, I will raise, effective immediately, the global tariffs imposed on countries that have long exploited the United States without any consequences (until I took charge!), to the legally permissible and tested level of 15%."

Hours after the Supreme Court's ruling to repeal the tariffs on Friday, Trump imposed a 10% global tariff on foreign goods, in a move aimed at preserving his trade agenda.

The New Global Tariff Mechanism

Trump applies the new base tariff under Article 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the President to impose tariffs for 150 days without Congressional approval. Obtaining such approval is seen as difficult amid opposition from Democrats and some Republicans to parts of his trade policy.

The initial 10% tariffs announced by Trump on Friday were set to take effect on February 24 at 12:01 a.m. Washington time, according to a fact sheet released by the White House. He is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address to Congress that evening in Washington. Trump's post on Saturday did not address details regarding the timing of the tariff increase.

The Supreme Court ruled on Friday by a majority of 6 to 3 that Trump acted unlawfully when he used an old federal law concerning emergency powers to justify his "reciprocal" tariffs. Last April, he relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on dozens of U.S. trading partners.

The White House and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment.