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Following a major Supreme Court ruling limiting his tariff authority, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a global tariff of 15% on imports, raising his initial proposal from 10%. The announcement, made via social media on Saturday, demonstrates Trump’s continued commitment to using tariffs as a cornerstone of his economic policy despite the judicial setback.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled 6-3 that Trump’s previous use of an emergency powers law to impose tariffs was unconstitutional, determining that the power to tax belongs to Congress, not the executive branch. The decision invalidated numerous tariffs Trump had placed on imports from nearly every country during his presidency.
Undeterred by the court’s ruling, Trump quickly pivoted to alternative legal pathways. He has already signed an executive order implementing a 10% tax on global imports starting Tuesday—the same day as his State of the Union address—using different legal authority. These tariffs would be limited to 150 days without congressional extension, a notable constraint compared to his previous approach.
The White House has not yet confirmed when Trump would sign an updated order increasing these tariffs to 15%, as indicated in his latest announcement.
In his social media post, Trump characterized the Supreme Court’s ruling as “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American,” showing his frustration with the judicial check on his authority. He promised that “during the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again.”
Trump took the unusual step of personally attacking the Supreme Court justices who ruled against him, including two of his own appointees—Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. At a news conference, he described the situation as “an embarrassment to their families.” He continued his criticism on social media, while praising the dissenting justices—Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito—saying “there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that they want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Tariffs have been central to Trump’s economic strategy throughout his presidency. He has consistently argued that they address trade imbalances, revive American manufacturing, and pressure other nations on issues ranging from drug trafficking to international conflicts. Despite economic evidence to the contrary, Trump has repeatedly claimed that foreign governments, not American consumers and businesses, bear the cost of these tariffs.
The financial impact of Trump’s tariff policy has been substantial. Treasury data shows more than $133 billion collected from import taxes under the emergency powers law through December. Trump has made various promises about this revenue, including reducing national debt and issuing dividend checks to taxpayers. The Supreme Court decision did not address what happens to these already-collected funds.
Democrats quickly criticized Trump’s new tariff threat. The House Ways and Means Committee Democrats accused the president of “pickpocketing the American people” with the increased tariff. “A little over 24 hours after his tariffs were ruled illegal, he’s doing anything he can to make sure he can still jack up your costs,” they stated on social media.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump critic, added that the president “does not care about you.”
The escalation of Trump’s tariff plans comes amid broader economic concerns about inflation and global trade tensions. Economic analysts have noted that widespread tariffs typically result in higher prices for American consumers, as importers pass on increased costs. The announcement introduces additional uncertainty into global markets already navigating complex trade relationships and supply chain challenges.
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16 Comments
Raising tariffs to 15% globally is a significant escalation, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling. This could have far-reaching implications for industries like mining, metals, and energy.
It will be important to watch for any retaliatory actions from trading partners and how that might impact commodity prices and supply chains.
How will this 15% global tariff affect key industries like mining, metals, and energy? Will it spur further retaliatory measures from trading partners?
The 150-day time limit is an interesting constraint. I wonder if the administration will seek to extend it through Congress or find other legal avenues to sustain the tariffs long-term.
The Supreme Court decision seems to have done little to deter the President from pursuing his tariff agenda. This sets up an interesting dynamic between the executive and judicial branches.
I wonder how Congress will respond to this latest move and whether they will seek to reassert their constitutional authority over trade policy.
The President’s determination to maintain his tariff policy despite the court’s ruling is noteworthy. This could set up a prolonged battle over trade authority between the executive and legislative branches.
As an investor in mining and energy equities, I’ll be closely monitoring how this situation evolves and any potential impacts on those sectors.
Interesting development on the tariff front. Trump seems determined to use this lever despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. It will be important to see how the 150-day limitation plays out and whether Congress gets involved.
The executive branch’s tariff authority has been a contentious issue for some time. This court ruling could spur more debate on the appropriate balance of power between the branches.
Trump’s continued reliance on tariffs as an economic policy tool is noteworthy, even in the face of a Supreme Court ruling limiting his authority. This raises questions about the broader trade landscape.
It will be crucial for industry stakeholders to closely monitor developments and assess the potential impacts on their operations and investments.
The President’s move to raise tariffs to 15% after the Supreme Court ruling is a bold one. It will be crucial to monitor the economic impacts, both domestic and global, as this plays out.
Tariffs can be a blunt instrument, and it will be important to understand the administration’s rationale and objectives with this latest action.
Raising tariffs to 15% globally is a significant move, and it will be crucial to understand the administration’s rationale and objectives. The interplay between the executive and judicial branches on trade policy bears close watching.
This development could have important implications for industries like mining, metals, and energy. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out in the weeks and months ahead.