Trump Signs Proclamation Imposing 10% Global Tariff After Supreme Court Ruling
Updated (2 articles)
Proclamation Signed, Tariff Takes Effect Tuesday President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Feb. 20, 2026 that will impose a 10 % surcharge on all imports beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2026, following the Supreme Court’s decision that struck down his earlier emergency duties [1].
Legal Authority Drawn From 1974 Trade Act Section 122 The new duty relies on Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which permits the president to levy import surcharges of up to 15 % and to set quotas for a maximum of five months to address serious trade imbalances [1][2]. Trump emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling does not limit presidential power because other statutes—Sections 122, 201, 301, and 338—provide “even stronger measures” [2].
Exemptions and Prior Tariff Reductions Detailed The White House fact sheet lists exemptions for critical minerals, bullion‑grade metals, energy products, certain agricultural items, passenger vehicles, light trucks, and medium‑ and heavy‑duty vehicles [1]. The administration also noted that reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods were reduced from 25 % to 15 % after Seoul pledged $350 billion in U.S. investment under a bilateral agreement [1][2].
Section 301 Probes and Future Trade Actions Announced Trump announced the launch of several new Section 301 investigations and other probes aimed at combating “unfair trading practices” and shaping “fair tariffs” on other nations [2]. He warned that foreign backlash to the global tariff would be short‑lived and signaled that additional measures could follow the investigations [2].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Trump signs proclamation imposing 10 % global tariff after Supreme Court ruling – Details the Feb. 20 signing, effective date, legal basis, exemptions, and ongoing investigations, highlighting the administration’s shift after the court decision .
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Yonhap: Trump announces 10% global tariff using 1974 Trade Act Section 122 – Focuses on the announcement timing, Section 122 authority, reference to Section 301 probes, reduced South Korea tariffs, and Trump’s prediction of brief foreign backlash .
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Timeline
1974 – Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the president to levy import surcharges of up to 15 % and to set quotas for a maximum of five months to correct serious trade imbalances, providing the statutory foundation for the 2026 global tariff [1][2].
1977 – The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 later serves as the legal basis for Trump’s emergency duties, which the Supreme Court later strikes down [1][2].
Prior to 2026 (date of bilateral deal) – South Korea reduces U.S. tariffs from 25 % to 15 % after pledging $350 billion in U.S. investment, illustrating how tariff concessions are tied to large investment commitments [1][2].
Early 2026 (Supreme Court ruling) – The Supreme Court holds that only Congress may impose peacetime tariffs, invalidating Trump’s IEEPA‑based emergency levies and forcing the administration to seek alternative statutory authority [1][2].
Feb 20, 2026 – President Trump announces a 10 % global tariff, invoking Section 122 and declaring that “the court was ‘swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think’,” while predicting that countries “ripping us off” will soon be unhappy [2].
Feb 20, 2026 – Trump signs a proclamation imposing the 10 % surcharge, set to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026, and lists exemptions for critical minerals, energy products, certain agricultural items, passenger vehicles, light trucks, and medium‑ and heavy‑duty vehicles [1].
Feb 20, 2026 – On the same day, Trump launches new Section 301 investigations and announces that the administration will pursue “even stronger measures” beyond IEEPA to combat “unfair trading practices” of other nations and companies [1][2].
Feb 24, 2026 – The 10 % global tariff takes effect, adding to existing duties and marking the first broad‑based import surcharge since the 1970s [1].
2026‑2027 (future) – The administration plans to exercise the five‑month quota authority under Section 122 and may impose additional tariffs or quotas based on the outcomes of the ongoing Section 301 probes [1][2].