In a press briefing on Friday, former President Trump announced new trade measures following a significant ruling from the Supreme Court. The high court, in a 6-3 decision, determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the president the authority to impose tariffs, a decision that challenges one of the Trump administration’s central economic policies.
Expressing his disappointment over the court’s ruling, Trump declared that, in lieu of the now-invalidated tariffs, his administration would implement a “10% global tariff … over and above the normal tariffs already being charged.” This new tariff will be authorized under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The administration plans to initiate multiple trade investigations under Section 301 as part of its restructured tariff strategy.
During the briefing, Trump emphasized that the new methods and practices being adopted are backed by legal statutes acknowledged by both Congress and the courts, claiming they would be more effective than the tariffs previously established under IEEPA. He asserted that these alternative measures would “actually increase” revenue flowing into the United States, in light of the court’s ruling.
In addition, Trump confirmed that all national security tariffs, enforced under Sections 232 and 301, will remain in effect. The Supreme Court’s ruling does not alter tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which addresses national security concerns. As a result, a variety of import duties will continue to affect products such as copper, semiconductors, automobiles, and wood products, among others.
For instance, Section 232 tariffs include a staggering 50% levy on imports of semi-finished copper products, a 25% tariff on specific imported semiconductors—such as Nvidia’s H200 chips—and automobile tariffs that impose a 25% tax on trucks and a 10% tax on buses.
The announcement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing trade narrative and the legal landscape surrounding presidential powers in tariff imposition. As the administration prepares to roll out these new measures, it remains to be seen how they will impact both domestic industries and international trade relations.
