In response to a recent Supreme Court decision that deemed his tariffs illegal, President Donald Trump announced plans to increase existing tariffs to 15%. He claims that the court’s ruling permits this action.
Trump characterized the Supreme Court’s decision as “absurd” and poorly written, asserting that it is anti-American. He stated, “Let this statement serve as confirmation that I, as President of the United States, am immediately raising the global tariff on countries that have long taken advantage of the U.S. to a legally permissible level of 15%.”
He also expressed support for the three justices who opposed the ruling, calling them “heroes.” Trump specifically praised Justice Brett Kavanaugh, along with Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, stating, “There is no doubt that they want to make America great again!”
The Supreme Court had previously ruled against the extensive tariffs imposed by Trump, with a 6-3 vote stating that such unilateral tariff actions exceed presidential authority. The justices concluded that these tariffs would be revoked.
However, Trump quickly identified a loophole in U.S. trade law, specifically Section 122, which allows the president to impose temporary tariffs of up to 15% if a country faces significant balance of payments issues. On February 20, he announced the implementation of new global tariffs of 10% against all nations, asserting that these tariffs comply with legal standards.
President Trump has announced an increase in tariffs to 15% following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated his previous tariffs. Despite the court's decision, he found a legal basis to impose new tariffs under U.S. trade law.