WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump raised the global duty on imports into the United States to 15% on Thursday, doubling down on his promise to maintain his aggressive tariff policy a day after the Supreme Court largely struck it down.
Trump Increases Tariffs After Supreme Court Ruling
Trump announced the increase on his Truth Social platform, stating that after reviewing Wednesday’s Supreme Court decision, the administration was hiking import levies “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.”
The court’s 6-3 ruling rejected the president’s authority to impose tariffs under a 1977 economic emergency powers act. Trump initially responded by announcing a new 10% global levy through a different legal avenue.
Following the ruling, Trump launched a personal attack on the conservative justices who sided with the majority, criticizing their “disloyalty” and calling them “fools and lap dogs.”
The Supreme Court’s decision was a rebuke of the president’s economic policy, which has significantly impacted global trade.
The newly announced duty is temporary, allowable for 150 days. Exemptions remain for sectors under separate probes, including pharmaceuticals, and goods entering the US under the US-Mexico-Canada agreement, according to a White House fact sheet.
The White House stated that US trading partners with existing tariff deals with the Trump administration would also be subject to the new global tariff.
The court ruling did not affect sector-specific duties Trump previously imposed on steel, aluminum, and other goods. Further sectoral tariffs could be implemented based on ongoing government investigations.
Despite generally expanding his power, the ruling marked Trump’s biggest defeat at the Supreme Court since returning to office 13 months ago.
Trump praised the conservative justices who voted to uphold his authority to levy tariffs – Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump nominee – thanking them “for their strength and wisdom, and love of our country.”
The president alleged the majority of six justices had been “swayed by foreign interests.” He stated, “I think that foreign interests are represented by people that I believe have undue influence.”
Wall Street shares rose modestly on Wednesday following the court’s decision, which had been anticipated.
Business groups largely welcomed the ruling, with the National Retail Federation stating it “provides much-needed certainty” for companies.
The Trump administration said companies would receive refunds if the tariffs were deemed unlawful, but the Supreme Court’s ruling did not address this issue. Trump anticipates years of litigation regarding potential refunds.
Justice Kavanaugh noted the refund process could be a “mess.”
Several countries are currently studying the Supreme Court ruling and Trump’s subsequent tariff announcements. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would hold talks with European allies to formulate a joint response before traveling to Washington in early March.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, called on Trump via X to “listen to the Supreme Court, end chaotic tariffs, and stop wreaking havoc on our farmers, small business owners, and families.”
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