Trump raises global tariffs from 10% to 15% a day after US Supreme Court setback

The decision, revealed on Saturday, comes in the wake of a court ruling that struck down sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, holding that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority.

Announcement made on Truth Social

Trump announced the tariff hike in a strongly worded post on Truth Social, sharply criticising the Supreme Court’s decision.

Describing the ruling as “poorly written” and “anti-American”, he said he had ordered an immediate increase in the worldwide tariff rate to 15 percent.

In his statement, Trump argued that several countries had been taking unfair advantage of the United States for decades and claimed his revised tariff regime was both “fully allowed” and “legally tested”.

Donald Trump's Truth Social post. Screenshot from Truth Social

He also signalled that the administration would soon unveil additional tariff measures, saying further revisions would be introduced over the coming months as part of his broader economic agenda.

Supreme Court blocks emergency tariff powers

The escalation follows a significant ruling by the United States Supreme Court, which on Friday invalidated the administration’s earlier tariff framework.

The court held that Trump had improperly relied on emergency powers to justify broad trade tariffs, concluding that such authority was intended for genuine national emergencies rather than long-term economic policy.

Why the top court intervened

At the heart of the ruling was the administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, legislation designed to address extraordinary national threats.

The judges found that invoking the law to impose wide-ranging tariffs amounted to an overreach of executive power.

The verdict underscored limits on presidential authority in trade matters, reaffirming that major economic actions must align with congressional intent and constitutional boundaries.

Political and economic implications

Trump’s swift response has intensified debate over executive power and trade policy, with critics warning that unilateral tariff hikes could further strain global trade relations.

Supporters, however, view the move as a defiant stand against judicial interference and what Trump describes as unfair international trade practices.