Trump Raises Global Tariffs To 15% After Supreme Court Limits Authority

United States President Donald Trump has increased his proposed global tariff rate from 10 percent to 15 percent, just days after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that he could not unilaterally impose sweeping import levies under emergency powers.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced the increase “effective immediately,” blasting what he described as the court’s “ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American decision.” The justices, in a six-to-three vote, found that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unconstitutional because the authority to tax rests with Congress.

In response, Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to reimpose a blanket tariff, now at the maximum 15 percent allowed under that statute though such measures are limited to 150 days without congressional approval.

The White House said exemptions would apply to certain goods, including critical minerals, metals and energy products, while the administration explores other legal avenues for new tariffs. Federal data shows the US Treasury has already collected more than $133bn from previous import taxes, prompting over a thousand lawsuits from American importers seeking refunds.

Trump insisted his administration would continue issuing “new and legally permissible Tariffs” to advance what he called an “extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again.” The policy shift has drawn mixed global reactions, affecting trade agreements with partners such as Taiwan and the United Kingdom, and triggering political backlash at home.

Democrats accused the president of “pickpocketing the American people,” while California Governor Gavin Newsom said Trump “does not care about you,” as economic concerns loom ahead of the midterm elections.