TLDR
- Trump increased the global tariff rate from 10% to 15%.
- The move follows a Supreme Court ruling on duties under IEEPA.
- The White House now cites Section 122 of the Trade Act.
- National security tariffs on steel and autos remain in effect.
President Donald Trump announced a global tariff hike to 15% after a US court ruling blocked parts of his earlier trade actions. The increase replaces the 10 percent baseline tariff introduced days earlier.
Trump shared the decision on Truth Social. He said the administration is acting within its lawful authority. He added that more tariff measures may follow to support his trade agenda.
Zero? Lutnick's "15% to zero" fantasy ignores math: EU tariffs averaged 1.2% pre-Trump. His 15% tax now costs households $2,850 yearly—paid by you, not Europe.
Another admin lie: punishing workers to fund political theater while trade deficits soar.
— White House Xray (@xray_media) December 24, 2025
The move came after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for certain import duties. The court decision required the administration to adjust its legal approach.
Shift in legal authority after Supreme Court ruling
On Friday, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s authority to impose tariffs under the IEEPA. The ruling limited the scope of emergency economic powers in trade matters.
In response, the White House turned to Section 122 of the Trade Act. This provision allows the president to impose temporary import levies under specific conditions. Officials said the new 15 percent tariff falls under this authority.
Trump stated that existing national security and trade enforcement tariffs will remain in place. “Effective immediately, all national security tariffs remain in place, fully in place, and in full force and effect,” he said.
The administration had relied on the IEEPA to justify earlier duties. After the ruling, officials said they would continue to pursue trade measures through other legal channels.
Scope of current tariffs and affected sectors
The 15 percent tariff applies broadly to most imports. However, certain goods remain exempt from the baseline rate. Energy products and pharmaceuticals are carved out from the broader measures.
Tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and copper remain active. These sector-specific duties were introduced earlier under national security grounds.
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has taken an assertive approach to trade. His administration has targeted goods from China, Canada, and Mexico.
Officials have said the strategy aims to reduce the trade gap and raise federal revenue. They have also cited support for domestic manufacturing and employment.
The White House has launched investigations into what it describes as unfair trade practices by certain partners. Additional actions may follow based on those findings.
Political and policy reactions
The tariff increase has drawn reactions from lawmakers and policy groups. Some members of Congress have criticized the use of broad import taxes.
US Senator Rand Paul described the tariffs as a tax increase on families and small businesses. He said the policy would affect working households.
US Congressperson Ro Khanna also criticized the move. “Those tariffs weren’t about security — they were a tax on families and small businesses to bankroll a reckless trade war,” he said.
Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute also raised concerns about the policy direction. He questioned the reliance on import duties as a long-term trade tool.
The administration has maintained that the measures are lawful and necessary. It has indicated that trade policy will remain a central focus in the coming months.
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