Trump sets global tariffs to 15 per cent after Supreme Court ruling - Helsinki Times

US President Donald Trumphas raised global import tariffs to 15 per cent days after the Supreme Court ruled that his earlier levies broke the law.The move deepens a dispute between the White House and the court and leaves businesses seeking refunds for an estimated $133bn collected under the previous regime.

On Friday, the Supreme Court held that Trump had exceeded his authority by imposing broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

The justices found that the law, designed for national emergencies, did not grant the president power to set taxes. The ruling stated that tariff-setting authority rests with Congress.

The court did not address whether the administration must repay duties already collected.

Within hours of the decision, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global tariff. On Saturday evening, he increased that rate to 15 per cent in a post on Truth Social.

“As President of the United States, I will immediately raise the 10% global tariff to the fully authorised and legally tested 15% level,” Trump wrote. He said many countries had “robbed” the United States for decades.

The White House said the new tariff will take effect at 12.01am on Tuesday 24 February and remain in force for up to 150 days under a provision of the Trade Act of 1974. That law allows the president to impose duties of up to 15 per cent for 150 days, after which Congress must approve any extension.

The administration has excluded goods that were exempt under earlier orders, including passenger vehicles and certain aviation products. Products covered by the existing trade agreement with Canada and Mexico will not face the new duty.

Business groups have called for the immediate reimbursement of the tariffs collected last year following the Supreme Court's ruling.

According to The Guardian, the US Chamber of Commerce urged the administration to return what it estimates to be $133bn in collected tariffs. Chief policy officer

Neil Bradleysaid: “Swift refunds of the impermissible tariffs will be meaningful for the more than 200,000 small business importers in this country and will help support stronger economic growth this year.”

The National Retail Federation, which represents companies from Walmart to small manufacturers, called for “a seamless process to refund the tariffs to US importers”. The group said refunds would allow firms to reinvest in operations, employees and customers.

Trump criticised the court for failing to address refunds. “It’s not discussed,” he said at a press conference in Washington. “We’ll end up being in court for the next five years.”

Trump has directed legal advisers to examine other statutes to support future tariffs. In his Truth Social post, he wrote that his administration would introduce “new and legally authorised tariffs” in the coming months.

HT