Top Headlines

Feeds

Trump Raises Global Tariff to 15% After Supreme Court Blocks IEEPA Authority

Updated (123 articles)
  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington on Feb. 20, 2026, in this photo released by EPA. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington on Feb. 20, 2026, in this photo released by EPA. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the White House in Washington on Feb. 20, 2026, in this photo released by EPA. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: BBC
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) speaks during a press conference at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill Jan. 22, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
    Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) speaks during a press conference at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill Jan. 22, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) speaks during a press conference at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill Jan. 22, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • Jenelle Peterson, co-founder of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures, at a toy convention in New York City this month
    Jenelle Peterson, co-founder of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures, at a toy convention in New York City this month
    Image: BBC
    Jenelle Peterson, co-founder of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures, at a toy convention in New York City this month (Danielle Kaye/BBC) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: BBC
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: BBC
  • Jenelle Peterson, co-founder of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures, at a toy convention in New York City this month
    Jenelle Peterson, co-founder of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures, at a toy convention in New York City this month
    Image: BBC
    Jenelle Peterson, co-founder of Wild Life Outdoor Adventures, at a toy convention in New York City this month (Danielle Kaye/BBC) Source Full size
  • An American flag flies in front of shipping containers and cranes at the Port of Los Angeles on September 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
    An American flag flies in front of shipping containers and cranes at the Port of Los Angeles on September 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
    Image: BBC
    An American flag flies in front of shipping containers and cranes at the Port of Los Angeles on September 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: BBC
  • Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) speaks during a press conference at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill Jan. 22, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
    Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) speaks during a press conference at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill Jan. 22, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) speaks during a press conference at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill Jan. 22, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: AP
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • Le chancelier Friedrich Merz, à Stuttgart (Allemagne), le 20 février 2026.THILO SCHMUELGEN / REUTERS
    Le chancelier Friedrich Merz, à Stuttgart (Allemagne), le 20 février 2026.THILO SCHMUELGEN / REUTERS
    Image: Le Monde
    Le chancelier Friedrich Merz, à Stuttgart (Allemagne), le 20 février 2026.THILO SCHMUELGEN / REUTERS (THILO SCHMUELGEN / REUTERS) Source Full size
  • Emmanuel Macron lors de l’inauguration du Salon international de l’agriculture, à Paris, le 21 février 2026.MANON CRUZ / AFP
    Emmanuel Macron lors de l’inauguration du Salon international de l’agriculture, à Paris, le 21 février 2026.MANON CRUZ / AFP
    Image: Le Monde
    Emmanuel Macron lors de l’inauguration du Salon international de l’agriculture, à Paris, le 21 février 2026.MANON CRUZ / AFP (MANON CRUZ / AFP) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • La conférence de presse de Donald Trump, diffusée à la bourse de New York, le 20 février 2025.MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/AFP
    La conférence de presse de Donald Trump, diffusée à la bourse de New York, le 20 février 2025.MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/AFP
    Image: Le Monde
    La conférence de presse de Donald Trump, diffusée à la bourse de New York, le 20 février 2025.MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/AFP (MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/AFP) Source Full size
  • None
    None
    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • Donald Trump, à la Maison Blanche, à Washington, le 20 février 2026.ALEX BRANDON/AP
    Donald Trump, à la Maison Blanche, à Washington, le 20 février 2026.ALEX BRANDON/AP
    Image: Le Monde
    Donald Trump, à la Maison Blanche, à Washington, le 20 février 2026.ALEX BRANDON/AP (ALEX BRANDON/AP) Source Full size

Supreme Court’s 6‑3 ruling strips Trump of IEEPA tariff power On 20 February 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to levy import taxes, declaring the sweeping global duties unconstitutional and affirming that only Congress may impose tariffs [2][11][17]. The decision nullified the 20‑34% tariffs on Chinese goods and other emergency‑powers levies that had been in place since 2024 [3][6]. Justices emphasized the statutory limits and procedural requirements that the administration had ignored [11][20].

Trump pivots to Section 122, announces 10% levy effective 24 Feb Hours after the ruling, Trump signed a proclamation invoking the rarely used Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, imposing a 10% ad valorem surcharge on all imports for 150 days, with a start date of 24 February 2026 [1][19]. The decree exempts pharmaceuticals, USMCA‑covered goods, and certain minerals, while retaining existing Section 232 and 301 duties on steel, aluminum, copper, lumber and digital services [5][6]. On 21 February Trump posted on Truth Social that the rate would rise to the statutory maximum of 15% “within a short number of months,” and on 22 February he declared the increase “effective immediately” [1][8][13].

Collected duties exceed $130 billion, refunds become contested Treasury data show customs duties under the invalidated IEEPA regime topped $130 billion in 2025, with FY 25 customs revenue reaching $195 billion, much of it now subject to potential repayment [1][10][17]. Importers have filed lawsuits seeking priority refunds; Costco, Revlon and Bumble Bee were among the first to sue [17][19]. State officials such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine have demanded billions in restitution for residents, while trade groups press the administration for a swift, orderly refund process [8][16][20].

Allies brace for higher duties, EU readies counter‑measures The 15% rate now applies to partners including the EU, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, prompting France’s trade minister Nicolas Forissier to cite the EU’s anti‑coercion instrument and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz to plan a coordinated response ahead of his Washington visit [1][3][14]. The United Kingdom, despite prior 10% agreements, will face the higher levy but retains exemptions for steel, aluminium, pharmaceuticals and aerospace [6][13]. China’s negotiating position improves, yet both Beijing and Washington aim to preserve a fragile trade truce ahead of Trump’s planned March‑April visit [3][13].

Domestic fallout mixes politics, economy and public backlash Trump withdrew his 2025 endorsement of Colorado Rep. Jeff Hurd after Hurd voted to repeal the emergency tariffs, labeling the lawmaker a “RINO” and warning of political costs for dissenters [4]. Democrats denounced the 15% hike as “pickpocketing” Americans, while Republicans split between criticism of the court and support for the new tariffs [2][11][12]. The tariff environment coincides with a slowdown in U.S. growth to 1.4% annualized in Q4 2025 and an effective overall tariff burden estimated at about 6% of imports [18][5][11].

Sources

Videos (1)

Timeline

Apr 2, 2025 – The administration announces “Liberation Day” tariffs on South Korean goods, reducing duties from 25 % to 15 % after Seoul pledges a US $350 billion investment package, linking tariff relief to the bilateral trade‑investment deal [9][20].

2025 (full year) – U.S. tariff collections surge by roughly 200 % year‑over‑year, with $187 billion more revenue than 2024, and the Treasury reports $133‑$134 billion collected from emergency‑law duties, including up to 145 % on China and 50 % on other partners [21][12][17].

2025 (full year) – The United States posts a record merchandise trade deficit of $1.241 trillion, a 2.1 % rise despite the tariff regime, while the deficit on Chinese goods falls 32 % to $202 billion and the EU becomes the largest deficit source at $219 billion [26].

2025 (Q4) – Real GDP growth slows to 1.4 % annualized, down from 2.8 % in 2024, as analysts link the deceleration to the tariff‑induced cost pressures highlighted by a Le Monde report [28].

2025 (Q1‑Q3) – A Harvard study finds tariffs add about 0.75 percentage‑point to inflation, with U.S. consumers bearing roughly 43 % of the tariff‑induced cost, contradicting the administration’s claim that foreign producers shoulder most of the burden [17].

Dec 3, 2025 – Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveils a “backup” tariff strategy, saying the administration could recreate the tariff system using Sections 301, 232 or 122 if the Supreme Court invalidates the IEEPA‑based duties [24].

Dec 2, 2025 – Costco files a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking a guarantee of refunds if the Supreme Court strikes down the emergency‑powers tariffs, joining dozens of firms in similar litigation [25].

Dec 18, 2025 – NEC director Kevin Hassett denounces a New York Fed study on tariff impacts as “the worst paper I’ve ever seen,” while President Trump nominates former Fed governor Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell, intensifying political pressure on the central bank [15].

Jan 1, 2026 – Trump issues a proclamation delaying planned tariff hikes on upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets, keeping existing 25 % rates and postponing the 30 % and 50 % increases until at least Jan 2027, citing ongoing trade‑reciprocity negotiations [22].

Jan 3, 2026 – Analysts note that businesses, which paid about 80 % of the 2025 tariff bill, are beginning to pass more costs onto consumers in 2026, raising concerns about higher consumer prices as the Supreme Court’s pending decision looms [21].

Jan 8‑9, 2026 – Legal analysts warn the Supreme Court could nullify the 15 % Korea tariff, potentially wiping out roughly $150 billion in revenue and destabilizing the U.S.–Korea trade framework ahead of South Korea’s June elections [20][19].

Jan 19, 2026 – USTR Jamieson Greer tells The New York Times the administration would re‑impose reciprocal tariffs the day after a court ruling against them, underscoring readiness to revive the policy if the IEEPA case fails [18].

Feb 20, 2026 – In a 6‑3 decision, the Supreme Court holds that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant the president authority to impose sweeping tariffs, declaring the 2025 “reciprocal” duties unlawful and sending refund questions to the New York trade court [12][14][30].

Feb 20, 2026 – Hours after the ruling, Trump signs a proclamation invoking Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to impose a 10 % global tariff on all imports, effective Feb 24, with exemptions for critical minerals, certain agricultural products, and vehicles, and a 150‑day limit unless Congress extends it [8][27][5].

Feb 21, 2026 – Trump raises the temporary global tariff to the statutory maximum of 15 % under Section 122, citing the trade deficit (now $1.2 trillion) as justification and announcing the levy will remain for about five months pending congressional approval [1].

Feb 21, 2026 – In a Truth Social post, Trump denounces the six justices who struck down his tariffs as “fools and lapdogs,” praises the three justices who supported him, and pledges additional duties while USMCA negotiations with Canada and Mexico loom this summer [2][13].

Feb 21, 2026 – Business leaders react: small‑firm owners call the ruling a “major victory” but warn of lingering refund uncertainties; trade groups urge swift reimbursement mechanisms, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq post modest gains after the decision [3][11].

Feb 21, 2026 – The Court’s opinion emphasizes that only Congress may levy peacetime tariffs, limiting executive power and prompting political analysts to note reduced GOP vulnerability ahead of the 2026 midterms [4][10].

Feb 21, 2026 – The administration signals it will continue using other statutory tools (e.g., Section 301, 232 investigations) to pursue “stronger measures” beyond the new 10 % duty, keeping the broader trade‑war strategy alive [8][9].

Feb 21, 2026 – State leaders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, demand refunds for billions in alleged overcharges, sending invoices to the White House and framing the tariffs as an “illegal cash grab” [5].

Feb 21, 2026 – Economists project that, depending on refund execution, the effective average tariff rate could remain near 9.1 %—the highest since 1946—while sector impacts hinge on how quickly the administration can replace the invalidated duties [3][28].

Future (summer 2026) – The United States, Canada and Mexico are set to begin USMCA renegotiations, with the new 10 % global tariff and pending refund litigation expected to shape bargaining positions [2].

Future (2026‑2027) – The New York International Trade Court is slated to hear refund claims, potentially ordering billions in reimbursements to importers and states, while the administration evaluates alternative tariff authorities such as Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act [29][16].

Social media (10 posts)

Dive deeper (12 sub-stories)

All related articles (123 articles)

External resources (82 links)