President Donald Trump announced he is raising global tariffs to 15% after the Supreme Court of the U.S. struck down his earlier reciprocal tariff plan.
The move comes one day after the high court ruled 6-3 that Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs without clear congressional approval.
In response, Trump ordered an immediate 10% tariff on all imports, in addition to any existing levies, invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The statute allows the president to raise tariffs up to 15% for a maximum of 150 days to address trade imbalances.
On Saturday, Trump confirmed he intends to push the rate to the full 15% ceiling allowed under the law.
“I was very modest in my ask of other countries and businesses, because I wanted to be very well-behaved,” Trump said following the ruling. He blasted the decision as “Anti-American” and said he was “ashamed” of certain justices.
“They are dancing in the streets — but they won’t be dancing for long,” Trump said, arguing that foreign governments were celebrating the court’s decision.
Section 122 has never been used before to impose tariffs of this scale. It is generally intended for short-term economic emergencies, not long-term trade policy. Legal analysts say the move could face fresh court challenges.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court said Trump lacked clear authorization under the emergency powers law he previously cited. The justices noted that Congress retains authority over tariff policy and could grant broader powers if lawmakers choose.
Trump still holds Republican majorities in both chambers, though any permanent legislative fix would likely require bipartisan support in the Senate.
Markets reacted cautiously as investors assessed the potential impact of higher import taxes. Economists warn that tariffs can increase costs for consumers and businesses, while the administration argues they generate revenue and protect the domestic industry, per the Daily Mail.
Trump said his team would “determine and issue the new and legally permissible tariffs” in the coming months, signaling that additional trade measures could follow.
The clash marks one of the sharpest confrontations between Trump and a court he helped shape during his first term. Despite the conservative majority, two of his appointees joined Chief Justice John Roberts in ruling against his earlier tariff framework.
For now, the 15% global tariff represents Trump’s latest effort to preserve a core piece of his economic agenda — even as legal and political battles over executive authority continue to escalate.
