U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, February 21, 2026, an immediate increase in global tariffs, raising them from 10% to 15%. This decision follows a setback inflicted by the Supreme Court on his trade policy, which invalidated the tariffs he had imposed under emergency powers. Trump has announced that he will use other legal means to pursue his trade policy.
The Supreme Court's decision, delivered on Friday, February 20, 2026, ruled that the president's unilateral imposition of tariffs was unconstitutional, as the power to tax lies with Congress. Trump had imposed tariffs on almost every country by invoking an emergency powers law. The Court ruled that the president had overstepped his authority by invoking an economic emergency to justify tariffs presented as "reciprocal".
In response to the Supreme Court's decision, Trump signed an executive order mandating a new 10% tariff on all imports, under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This tariff took effect on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and is limited to 150 days unless extended legislatively. On Saturday morning, he raised this levy to 15%, announcing the decision on his Truth Social network.
Trump's new strategy consists of a combination of replacement tariffs. First, the 15% global tax on imports, which is legally valid for only 150 days. Second, a series of new national security tariffs targeting particular industries and country-specific levies designed to combat alleged unfair trading practices. The administrative requirements associated with enacting these additional measures will likely take months.
Exceptions are provided, notably for certain pharmaceutical products and for imports covered by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Trump administration will need to obtain Congressional approval for any extension beyond the initial 150-day period. This situation creates legal and economic uncertainty for businesses and consumers.
Reactions to this new trade escalation have been mixed. Some experts believe that this could lead to a period of increased uncertainty for global trade, while others believe that the immediate impact may be limited, as many importers have already adapted their supply chains. William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chamber of Commerce, said that this increase would be detrimental to trade, U.S. consumers and businesses, and would weaken global economic growth.
In summary, Donald Trump has increased global tariffs to 15% in response to a Supreme Court decision invalidating his previous trade policy. This measure, while temporary, creates economic and legal uncertainty, and its long-term impact on global trade remains to be seen. The Trump administration will need to obtain Congressional approval to extend these tariffs beyond 150 days, adding further complexity to the situation.
