Trump Imposes Higher Tariffs After Supreme Court Defeat
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Saturday he is raising tariffs on goods entering the United States to 15%, “effective immediately,” following a Supreme Court ruling that largely struck down his sweeping duties. The move comes a day after the court found the president had exceeded his authority when imposing higher tariffs under an economic emergency law.
Trump initially announced a 10% across-the-board tariff on Friday in response to the court’s decision. The novel levies are based on a separate law, Section 122, which allows tariffs up to 15% but requires congressional approval to extend them beyond 150 days.
Supreme Court Ruling Limits Presidential Tariff Power
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) “does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” marking Trump’s most significant defeat at the court since returning to the White House last year according to the Associated Press.
The court’s decision throws U.S. Trade policy back into uncertainty as reported by the AP. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the President needs clear congressional authorization to impose such tariffs, highlighting that the power to tax rests with Congress under the Constitution according to CNBC.
Trump’s Response and Future Plans
Trump expressed his disapproval of the court’s decision, calling it “extraordinarily anti-American” in a post on his Truth Social platform. He stated that his administration would hike import levies to the “fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.”
“During the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again — GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE,” he wrote.
International Reactions
Canada welcomed the ruling, stating the tariffs were “unjustified.” Other U.S. Trading partners, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union, cautiously responded, indicating they were analyzing the court decision and in contact with the Trump administration as reported by the AP.
Tariffs as a Key Trump Policy
Trump has consistently used tariffs as a central economic and foreign policy tool, initiating a global trade war during his second term. This has led to strained relationships with trading partners, financial market volatility, and global economic uncertainty according to the New York Times.
Trump’s tariffs were projected to generate trillions of dollars in revenue for the United States over the next decade. However, his administration has not released tariff collection data since December 14, 2025 as reported by USA Today.