President Donald Trump escalated his trade offensive Saturday, raising the global tariff on imports to 15% just one day after the Supreme Court limited his authority to impose such levies. The move, announced on his Truth Social platform, is a defiant response to the court’s ruling and a reaffirmation of his commitment to protectionist trade policies.
Trump stated he was making the decision after a “thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision” issued by the court on Friday. He characterized the new tariff as “the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” signaling a belief that he has found a legal pathway to continue imposing significant duties on foreign goods.
The escalation comes after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify broad tariffs. Following that ruling, Trump swiftly invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, authorizing the president to impose duties of up to 15% for 150 days to address “large and serious” balance-of-payment issues. The initial announcement on Friday set the tariff at 10%, which was then doubled on Saturday.
While Trump claimed the new tariffs would take effect “immediately,” the White House issued a fact sheet on Friday stating the levies would begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on February 24th. This discrepancy created some initial confusion regarding the implementation timeline.
The international reaction was swift. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced plans to travel to Washington with a coordinated European response, warning of the “poison” of increased uncertainty. French President Emmanuel Macron indicated France would assess the consequences of the new global tariff, advocating for a principle of “reciprocity” in trade relations.
Meanwhile, American businesses are scrambling to understand the implications of the shifting tariff landscape. Following the Supreme Court’s initial ruling against Trump’s earlier tariffs, major business associations began demanding refunds for the billions of dollars in duties already paid. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is seeking the return of an estimated $133 billion in collected tariffs covered by the court’s decision.
The latest move by Trump underscores his continued reliance on tariffs as a key component of his economic policy, despite legal challenges. He stated his administration would “determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again.”
The legality of the new tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 is expected to face scrutiny. The law allows for tariffs to address balance-of-payment issues, but critics argue the current justification may not meet the legal threshold. The 150-day timeframe also suggests a temporary measure, potentially setting the stage for further action or negotiation.
Beyond the economic implications, Trump’s actions continue to draw criticism regarding his leadership style. Recent events, including the display of a large banner bearing his image on the Justice Department headquarters, have been described by some as exhibiting “dictator vibes.”
In other news, Trump approved a federal emergency declaration Saturday related to a sewer main break north of Washington D.C., which threatens to disrupt the upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations in the capital. Iran is preparing a counterproposal in response to recent nuclear talks with the U.S., while Trump indicated he is considering limited military strikes against Iran.
