President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will sign an executive order imposing a new 10% “global tariff,” following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down his broader “reciprocal” import duties. The ruling dealt a blow to a key component of Trump’s trade agenda, but the president vowed to continue reshaping U.S. trade policy without relying on Congress.
Trump, speaking at a White House press briefing, sharply criticized the Court’s 6-3 decision and vowed to pursue other avenues to protect American industries. He indicated that the new tariff would be applied on top of existing tariffs that were upheld by the Court, which had previously supported the use of tariffs for national security reasons under Section 232 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The president expressed frustration with the ruling, particularly singling out Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, whom he had nominated, for siding with the majority.
Trump also revealed that the executive order would invoke Section 122 of the Trade Act, which allows tariffs to be imposed for up to 150 days without congressional approval. Although he acknowledged the time limitation, the president maintained that his administration had the authority to act independently and that he would pursue further measures to address what he sees as unfair trade practices. The executive order is expected to move forward later Friday.
Despite the Court’s decision, Trump confirmed that tariffs imposed under Sections 232 and 301 would remain intact, and he stated that additional investigations could lead to further tariffs under Section 301. The Supreme Court ruling, which questioned the legal grounds for the president’s tariff strategy, marked a significant challenge to his economic policies. However, Trump emphasized that the administration would continue to work toward its goal of “leveling the playing field” for U.S. industries.