WASHINGTON: Donald Trump on Saturday announced an immediate increase in the United States’ worldwide tariff rate from 10% to 15%, a day after the Supreme Court of the United States moved to curb his broader tariff programme.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the court’s decision as an “extraordinarily anti-American decision” and said his administration would raise import duties to what he termed the “fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.”
The US president stated that many countries had been “ripping” the United States off for decades and maintained that the new tariff rate would take effect immediately. He added that over the coming months, his administration would determine and announce revised tariffs in line with legal limits.
Under US law, the president can impose tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days, although the move may face further legal scrutiny.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on Friday significantly limited the administration’s sweeping tariff measures, altering the leverage Trump and his trade officials had used in negotiations with foreign governments.
Following the decision, US stock markets initially surged before closing modestly higher, as analysts cautioned that uncertainty could persist while markets assess the administration’s next steps.
Hours after the ruling, Trump signed an executive order repealing the tariffs struck down by the court and issued a fresh proclamation introducing a 10% baseline duty on most imports for 150 days. Certain goods, including critical minerals, metals, and energy products, were granted exemptions, according to the White House.
